Is Seaweed The Crop of the Future?

Seaweed is gaining popularity as a superfood due to its nutritional benefits and environmental advantages. Historically used in Asian diets, seaweed offers a rich source of nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins. It contains fucoidans, which contribute to health benefits such as improved immunity and cardiovascular function. Environmentally, seaweed farming is sustainable, requiring no fertilizers or pesticides, and it helps reduce atmospheric carbon. Economically, it presents opportunities for sustainable revenue in regions where traditional fishing is declining. Despite its benefits, seaweed is not yet mainstream in Western diets.

Which of the following is NOT a nutritional benefit of seaweed?

• More protein than tofu

• More vitamin C than oranges

• More calcium than milk

• More iron than steak

What makes seaweed an environmentally friendly crop?

• It depletes the soil nutrients

• It grows slower than land-based plants

• It is seasonal and requires specific conditions

• It requires no fertilizer or pesticide

How does seaweed contribute to reducing atmospheric carbon?

• By preventing soil erosion

• By releasing oxygen during photosynthesis

• By absorbing more carbon than land-based forests

• By providing habitat for marine life

What is a potential economic benefit of seaweed farming?

• It can provide sustainable revenue in regions where fishing is no longer viable

• It can replace all traditional crops

• It is only beneficial in developed countries

• It requires high investment and maintenance

Why might seaweed become more common in Western diets?

• Because it is a traditional Western food

• Due to its high sugar content

• Because of its potential health and environmental benefits

• Due to its high cost and rarity