Wakame is a nutritious, edible seaweed that can add a range of vitamins and minerals to your diet for a low number of calories. It’s linked to various health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and decreased blood pressure.

Wakame is a type of edible seaweed that has been cultivated in Japan and Korea for centuries.

In addition to bringing a unique taste and texture to soups and salads, wakame is low in calories but high in several nutrients that are essential to health.

Plus, it offers a long list of potential benefits, including improved heart health and enhanced weight loss.

Here are 8 surprising health benefits of wakame seaweed.

1. Low in Calories and Rich in Nutrients

Wakame is low in calories but supplies a good amount of important nutrients.

Even in small amounts, it can help boost your intake of minerals like iodine, manganese, folate, magnesium and calcium to help you meet your nutrient needs.

Just two tablespoons (10 grams) of raw wakame seaweed offers:

  • Calories: 5
  • Protein: 0.5 grams
  • Carbs: 1 gram
  • Iodine: 280% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
  • Manganese: 7% of the RDI
  • Folate: 5% of the RDI
  • Sodium: 4% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 3% of the RDI
  • Calcium: 2% of the RDI

Each serving of wakame also contains vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as iron, copper and phosphorus.

Rounding out its stellar nutrient profile, wakame is a good source of iodine.

In fact, wakame contains approximately 42 mcg of iodine per gram, which is about 28% of the RDI.

2. High Iodine Content May Support Proper Thyroid Function

Iodine is an essential mineral that your body uses to produce thyroid hormones, which help support growth, metabolism, protein synthesis and cell repair.

Still, iodine deficiency is incredibly common, with some reports estimating that about two billion people worldwide are affected.

A deficiency in this key micronutrient can contribute to hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid is unable to make enough thyroid hormone to support normal function.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency can include weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and dry, flaky skin.