Health benefits and nutritional properties of nori

Abstract

A brief review is presented of the properties of nori relevant to health. The dried alga contains large amounts of protein, ash, vitamins and carbohydrate. The levels of taurine (/>- 1.2%) are notable as this compound aids enterohepatic circulation of bile acid, thus preventing gallstone through controlling blood-cholesterol levels. Relatively high levels of eicosapentanoic acid, choline, inositol and other B-group vitamins are regarded as beneficial to health. The occurrence of porphyosins and betaines that prevent respectively, gastric shay ulcers and lower blood-cholesterol levels are particular interest. A sulfated galactan, similar to agar, occurs in relatively large quantities; this is a water-soluble dietary fiber that has important functional activities such as an antiblood coagulant, antihypercholesterolemia and shows antitumor activity. Minerals which occur at relatively high levels in nori include Zn, Cu, Mn and Se.It is concluded that nori is a valuable health food in human diets. © 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers.