Dulse seaweed (Palmaria palmata) contributes to overall gut health and results in many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities.
April 4, 2024
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Most people are aware that regularly adding dietary fiber is essential for good health. The food industry usually sources dietary fiber from terrestrial sources. However, a red seaweed known as Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is also rich source of complex dietary fiber and this complexity sets Dulse apart as a potent prebiotic.
Dulse contains the polysaccharide xylan as its main cell wall constituent, with proteins and minerals integrated within a complex matrix. This complex structure allows xylan to pass through the upper digestive tract, arriving in the lower gut intact, where it acts as nutrition and substrate for our gut microbiota. Xylan functions as a prebiotic, supporting a diverse and healthy probiotic microbial community within the gut. Xylan contributes to overall gut health by increasing short-chain fatty acid production by probiotic bacteria within the GI tract. The production of short-chain fatty acids from probiotic microbes is enhanced by the presence of dulse in the diet, and this results in many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities.
A recent study with mice indicated that the diversity of probiotic bacteria was increased within the GI tract as beneficial probiotic Lactobacillus, Proteobacteria, and Bactriodia communities were enhanced when fed with a water extract of Dulse. Enhancing the diversity and health of probiotic gut microbiota led to increased production of short-chain fatty acids, and these in turn influenced the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gut, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with intestinal functions. This interesting study suggests that with the consumption of prebiotic xylan found in Dulse, both gut and brain health may be enhanced.
Consumers are increasingly looking to purchase sustainable sources of food and dietary fiber. Dulse has recently been domesticated by Acadian Seaplants Limited, and is now being farmed in an on-land cultivation system that does not adversely affect the natural environment, alongside being highly productive and traceable. Furthermore, the sustainable wild harvesting of Dulse has been done for centuries around the North Atlantic, where it is found in abundance. So, if you are looking for a new source of dietary fiber, Dulse is a highly sought after marine algae that adds complex prebiotic dietary fiber to your diet, enhances gut health, and positively influences the gut-brain axis.
Proteins are key to the health and diet of humans – they are essential for creating enzymes, regulating hormones, moving oxygen throughout the body, building and repairing muscle, and fortifying bones and cartilage. North American consumers have developed a tremendous appetite for protein – and not just from poultry, red meat, fish, and eggs. The high protein content in Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is one of the main reasons for the growing commercial interest in this seaweed for food applications. When Dulse is cultivated in a land-based operation, protein content can be sustained at over 20% with every harvest. This means you can have confidence that you are receiving an excellent source of protein with every purchase.
Harvesting wild dulse has become a challenge due to increasing water temperatures and the scarcity of harvesters willing to undertake this physically demanding undertaking. However, Dulse is now being domesticated in Acadian Seaplants’ on-land cultivation system – one that does not adversely affect the natural environment, and which is also both highly productive and traceable. The growing interest in sustainable resources for food, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical products means that Dulse can play a key role in such segments due to the proteins it possesses.
Acadian Seaplants is the global leader in specialty seaweed cultivation technology. We operate the largest land-based, commercial, macro-algae cultivation facility in the world. We cultivate unique, pure, and clean seaweeds for nutritional, health, cosmetic, and other exacting applications.
Our operation provides the highest level of biomass control, supply security, and traceability for customers, beginning with the selection and domestication of wild ocean strains, to commercial biomass cultivation, to final processing and packaging.
Acadian has two production facilities capable of meeting expanding demand, guaranteeing its customers the highest quality, and meeting respective international certification requirements.
In 1981, Acadian Seaplants was founded and established the seaweed industry in Canada. Today, Acadian Seaplants is the largest independent marine plant processing company in North America, and a global leader in aquatic plant products for humans, animals, and plants. Acadian’s brands are used in more than 80 countries.
As a fully integrated company, Acadian Seaplants is responsible for every stage of its operation, including sustainable harvesting and the cultivation of marine plants, scientific research and technology development, engineering, manufacturing, market development, sales, and technical customer support.
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