Fucoidan is a component found in brown seaweeds (mozuku, konbu, mekabu) and protects the seaweed from sickness in the ocean. I am not sure what kind of sickness is lurking in the ocean attacking seaweed so badly, but as a result, fucoidan has become one heck of a powerful component for the human body.
There are many studies regarding the numerous health benefits of fucoidan, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. I link to one study for each benefit, but please use Google Scholar where you can easily find many research studies.
1. Lowers Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a vastly large problem among adults all over the world today. Hypertension is high blood pressure that causes stress on the heart and induces heart-related diseases.
Fucoidan has been found to lower blood pressure in many in vitro studies. In vitro means testing inside the body.
In this study using hypertensive rat models, treatment of fucoidan resulted in a potent and persistent reduction of high blood pressure (BP) even after they stopped receiving fucoidan.
It helps those with hypertension because fucoidan promotes the production of nitric oxide. This nitric oxide helps expand blood vessels and betters the circulation of blood.
2. Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is something that inhibits blood clotting factors in the body.
A human study was done by ingesting fucoidan and monitoring the blood. Fucoidan was found to act as an anticoagulant when reviewing the blood results.
Why is an anticoagulant good for you?
Anticoagulants are medicines that help prevent blood clots. They're given to people at a high risk of getting clots, to reduce their chances of developing serious conditions such as strokes and heart attacks.
3. Anti-inflammatory
When you hear the word inflammation, you may instantly think it is a bad thing. But inflammation is the body’s natural way of repairing itself. Short-term inflammation occurs when you hurt yourself or get sick like when you get a cut or come down with a cold.
However, when your body is in a state of constant inflammation, which can be triggered by eating unhealthy foods that create an inflammatory response in the blood, it can lead to a whole bunch of health problems.
Chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
In this study, fucoidan inhibited inflammatory responses, both in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
In vivo describes something “within a living organism” while in vitro describes something “in glass” such as a test tube or petri dish.
4. Helps Hangovers
Japan is all about alcohol – they are always looking for ways to help hangovers. Luckily, the best kind of fucoian products are manufactured in Japan.
A study in Japan verified that the ingestion of fucoidan before both men and women adults started drinking alcohol was effective in reducing the concentrations of acetaldehyde and ethanol in the breath and in the blood.
It is thought that one of the substances that makes one feel ill during or after drinking (causing such symptoms as headaches and nausea) is acetaldehyde which is a decomposed substance of ethanol.
5. Anticancer/Anti-tumor
At present, scientists have demonstrated the anti-tumor effect of fucoidan, including inhibiting the growth of tumors and inducing apoptosis of various cells of tumors in vitro and in vivo.
Apoptosis is the death of cells that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development.
Fucoidan is constantly researched for its effects on cancer and tumors. Check out Google Scholar where you can see more studies on this sensitive topic yourself.