Bladderwrack, Fucus Vesiculosus, is a seaweed grown in various oceans across the world. The whole plant has been used over the years due to its wide range of health benefits. The most notably use is to increase thyroid function due to its ability to fix iodine deficiency, this leads to increased metabolism. Iodine is a crucial mineral needed for efficient thyroid function hence why bladderwrack has been used over the years to treat thyroid related issues. It is also rich in other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc and vitamins A and C create a variety of healing benefits. It’s also high in phytochemicals. These health-promoting plant compounds, which include phlorotannins and fucoxanthin, may help lower oxidative stress — an imbalance between free radical and antioxidant levels in your body. Bladderwrack is high in fiber, which can support a healthy gut. In particular, it’s high in alginic acid and fucoidans, which have both been shown to have health-promoting properties It has anti-inflamatory effects due to being rich in antioxidants, such as phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidans, and vitamins A and C. Another notable use of bladderwrack is related to aging and skin issues. Early research has shown that the antioxidants in bladderwrack, namely fucoidan, promote collagen synthesis in the skin, which may help improve the look of cellulite, increase skin healing, and delay premature skin aging.
