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Okinawa mozuku is a healthy food for weight loss|Explanation of nutritional components and effects



I heard mozuku is good for weight loss.

I want to know about the weight loss effects of Okinawan mozuku.

I am writing this article for those people.


Did you know that most of the mozuku eaten around the world is farmed in Okinawa?

And, TV shows and websites have been talking about the health and diet benefits of Okinawan mozuku.


This article explains what Okinawan mozuku is and the diet benefits of Okinawan mozuku. Read this to learn that Okinawa mozuku is good for weight loss, and use it to help you when purchasing Okinawa mozuku.


What is Okinawa Mozuku?


Mozuku is a type of seaweed that has been used as an ingredient throughout Japan since ancient times. It is called "mozuku" because it grows by attaching itself to other seaweeds. Okinawa mozuku" cultivated in Okinawa contains fucoidan, calcium alginate, and fucoxanthin, which are effective for weight loss, as nutritional ingredients.



Dietary Effects of Okinawa Mozuku


Okinawa mozuku is low in calories, gives a feeling of fullness, moderates the absorption of sugar, suppresses the absorption of fat, and is said to have an anti-obesity effect.


∙ Low calories and satiety.


Calories per 100g of seaweed are shown below.

Mozuku seaweed_salted_without salt: 4kcal

Okinawa mozuku seaweed_collected_without salt:6kcal

Hoshi-hijiki_stainless steel kettle-boiled: 11kcal

Wakame seaweed_raw:24kcal

Tengusa_dried_without salt:194kcal



Okinawa mozuku is a low-calorie food with 6 kcal per 100 g. It contains only 0.1 g of fat and no carbohydrates, which is a concern during dieting. The insoluble dietary fiber contained in Okinawa mozuku absorbs water and swells, making you feel full.


・Modzuku moderates the absorption of sugar.


In the research report "Verification of Molecular Weight-Activity Relationship of Seaweed Fucoidan for Lifestyle Prevention and Its Application to Foods," in animal experiments using mice, the degree of increase in fasting blood glucose levels was measured in mice fed hijiki fucoidan and those not fed hijiki fucoidan, respectively. The results showed that the increase in fasting blood glucose levels was significantly higher in mice fed hijiki fucoidan than in mice not fed fucoidan. The results showed that the increase in fasting blood glucose levels was significantly suppressed in mice fed hijiki fucoidan.


In addition, postprandial blood glucose levels were measured in healthy adult subjects fed rice + cooked hijiki and in those fed rice alone. The results showed that the increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was suppressed when the subjects consumed rice and cooked hijiki.


The results of this study confirm that the fucoidan contained in hijiki has the effect of moderating the absorption of carbohydrates. Fucoidan in hijiki and fucoidan in Okinawa mozuku have a slightly different structure, but have been shown to have a similar effect on postprandial blood glucose levels. Okinawa mozuku, which also contains fucoidan, is expected to have the same effect of moderating the absorption of sugar.


・Reduces the absorption of fat


According to "Calcium Alginate as a Functional Material" by Kimika Corporation, udon noodles without calcium alginate, udon noodles containing 5% calcium alginate, and udon noodles containing 8% calcium alginate were consumed, and postprandial blood glucose levels were measured and compared in each case. As a result, the increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was predominantly suppressed in udon noodles containing calcium alginate.


In addition, cholesterol levels were measured in rats fed only a high-cholesterol diet and in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet plus 0.5% to 2% calcium alginate. The results showed that the addition of 2% calcium alginate predominantly suppressed the elevation of cholesterol.


Furthermore, when rats were fed a diet containing 10% calcium alginate, the increase in blood triglyceride levels was suppressed and the triglyceride levels in the feces increased.


In other words, calcium alginate suppresses the absorption of fat as well as blood glucose levels. Although still in the animal experiment stage, Okinawa mozuku, which contains calcium alginate, is also expected to suppress fat absorption.


・Anti-obesity properties


According to "NPO Fucoidan Research Institute|Acts to suppress weight gain, reduce serum cholesterol, and reduce serum triglycerides", rats were compared by feeding them regular food and food mixed with fucoidan, and those fed the fucoidan-mixed food showed predominant weight loss. At the same time, adipose tissue weight, cholesterol, and triglycerides were also reduced.


According to a paper by Hayato Maeda, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hirosaki University, "Anti-obesity effects of seaweed-derived fucoxanthin," administration of seaweed-derived fucoxanthin to diabetic obese model mice has been shown to reduce the increase in white adipose tissue. White adipose tissue exists around the reproductive organs, intestinal tract, and kidneys, and accumulates excess energy in the form of triacylglycerol, which is responsible for various diseases caused by obesity. The results suggest that fucoxanthin from Wakame seaweed has anti-obesity properties.


Although these two studies are still in the animal study stage, they suggest that fucoidan and fucoxanthin have anti-obesity effects. Therefore, Okinawa mozuku, which contains fucoidan and fucoxanthin, is expected to have anti-obesity effects.



Summary: Okinawa mozuku is a low-calorie, full-body food.


Okinawa mozuku is low in calories and makes you feel full, and research has shown that the fucoidan, calcium alginate, and fucoxanthin contained in Okinawa mozuku can moderate sugar absorption, reduce fat absorption, and have anti-obesity effects. Okinawa mozuku is expected to help people lose weight, making it an ideal health food for those interested in weight loss.


Okinawa mozuku is also expected to enhance the ability to attack cancer cells, boost immunity, relieve constipation, and prevent diabetes. If you are interested in Okinawan mozuku, please visit the following link page.



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