Effects of Palmaria palmata on lipid metabolism and glycemic control in participants with hypercholesterolemia in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

The utility of algae as sources of high value nutritional ingredients, particularly for alternative/complementary proteins to improve human health

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for dietary protein is rapidly increasing, necessitating the exploration of sustainable and nutritious protein sources. Algae has emerged as a promising food source due to their high value ingredients such as proteins, as well as for their environmental sustainability and abundance. However, knowledge gaps surrounding dietary recommendations and food applications restrict algae's utilization as a viable protein source. This review aims to address these gaps by assessing the suitability of both microalgae and macroalgae as alternative/complementary protein sources and exploring their potential applications in food products. The first section examines the potential suitability of algae as a major food source by analyzing the composition and bioavailability of key components in algal biomass, including proteins, lipids, dietary fiber, and micronutrients. Secondly, the biological effects of algae, particularly their impact on metabolic health are investigated with an emphasis on available clinical evidence. While evidence reveals protective effects of algae on glucose and lipid homeostasis as well as anti-inflammatory properties, further research is required to understand the longer-term impact of consuming algal protein, protein isolates, and concentrates on metabolic health, including protein metabolism. The review then explores the potential of algal proteins in food applications, including ways to overcome their sensory limitations, such as their dark pigmentation, taste, and odor, in order to improve consumer acceptance. To maximize algae's potential as a valuable protein source in the food sector, future research should prioritize the production of more acceptable algal biomass and explore new advances in food sciences and technology for improved consumer acceptance. Overall, this paper supports the potential utility of algae as a sustainable and healthy ingredient source for widespread use in future food production.

Effects of whole seaweed consumption on humans: current evidence from randomized-controlled intervention trials, knowledge gaps, and limitations

Seaweed is often recognized for its potential health benefits, attributed to its abundance of dietary fibers, protein, and polyphenols. While human observational studies have shown promise, the collective evidence from human intervention trials remains limited. This narrative review aims to comprehensively analyze the effects of seaweed intake on humans, while critically assessing the methodology, including Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment. A search was conducted in online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering the period from 2000 to May 2023. The focus was on randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of whole seaweed, either consumed as capsules, integrated into food products or as part of meals. Various health outcomes were examined, including appetite, anthropometric measures, cardiometabolic risk factors, thyroid function, markers of oxidative stress, and blood mineral concentrations. Out of the 25 RCTs reviewed, the findings revealed limited yet encouraging evidence for effects of seaweed on blood glucose metabolism, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and, to a lesser extent, blood lipids. Notably, these favorable effects were predominantly observed in populations with type-2 diabetes and hypertension. Despite most trials selecting a seaweed dose aligning with estimated consumption levels in Japan, considerable variability was observed in the pretreatment and delivery methods of seaweed across studies. Moreover, most studies exhibited a moderate-to-high risk of bias, posing challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. Overall, this review highlights the necessity for well-designed RCTs with transparent reporting of methods and results. Furthermore, there is a need for RCTs to explore seaweed species cultivated outside of Asia, with a specific emphasis on green and red species. Such studies will provide robust evidence-based support for the growing utilization of seaweed as a dietary component in regions with negligible seaweed consumption, e.g., Europe.