5 Health Benefits Of Using Agar Agar

Agar agar also called as china grass is a jelly like substance that is popularly used as a substitute for gelatin. When mixed wit hot water, it gels at room temperature making it ideal to use in desserts and puddings. We get agar agar easily in India and it goes by the same name in all the major languages like Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu. Since it is also colourless and odourless it can be mixed with any food easily. Apart from being a plant based food thickener, it has other health benefits from aiding weight loss to treating constipation.

Agar agar is a jelly like substance got from red algae. Agar agar is said to have been discovered first in Japan accidentally. Agar agar is mainly obtained from the cell walls of two species of red algae called Tengusa and Oganori.

# Aids Weight Loss

Agar agar is very high in fiber which is one of the main reasons for its weight loss promoting properties. When we consume agar agar, it keeps us satiated for a long time thus helping us reduce the overall calorie intake which in turn leads to weight loss. In a 4 week study done on 76 patients, the group that consumed agar agar experienced significant weight loss due to the reduction in overall calorie intake and you can read the study here.

# Relieves Constipation

One of the best home remedies for treating constipation naturally is to include foods that are high in fiber. Consuming agar agar helps relieve constipation as it is very high in fiber. It acts as a natural laxative and adds bulk to the stool and helps relieve constipation effectively. Use agar agar with whole fruit pulps with fiber to make it even more effective.

# High Iron Content

Anemia is very widespread in India, almost 50% of children, 53% of non pregnant women and almost 50% of pregnant women were found to be anemic so consuming iron rich foods is very very important. If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, try your best to include iron rich foods in your diet regularly like agar agar. 100 grams of agar agar has around 21 mg of iron. Along with consuming iron rich foods try to increase the amount of vitamin c in your diet to facilitate iron absorption.

# Vegetarian Substitute

Usually for setting deserts, gelatin is used. Gelatin is derived from the bones of animals and the best vegan substitute for it is agar agar as it is derived from algae. Unlike gelatin which needs refrigeration to set, agar agar sets at room temperature which is a huge plus. In fact, vegans and vegetarians should try to include ingredients like agar agar which is rich in iron and calcium regularly in their diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

# Rich In Important Minerals

Agar agar is not only rich in iron and fiber, it is also rich vitamins and minerals like zinc, selenium, manganese, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, panthonic acid, niacin, riboflavin and vitamin k. Usually when we make desserts, we make it with ingredients that are devoid of any nutrients like white sugar and maida. But instead if we can make desserts with fresh fruit pulp and agar agar along with whole fruits, we will be much more healthy.