Duckweed is a group of aquatic plants that will have certain health advantages. They’re plant-based foods with a high protein content, which is why they’ve been nicknamed “vegetable meatballs”. On this occasion, we’ll discuss one variety particularly, which is the Mankai duckweed.
The consumption of sea vegetables or algae has increased loads in recent times. It’s common to seek out individuals who steadily eat them on their very own or incorporate them into their culinary preparations.
It’s an oriental custom that’s regularly spreading to Western countries as well. The variability we’re going to discuss today, Mankai duckweed, originates from Israel.
Dietary properties of Mankai duckweed
From a dietary standpoint, Mankai duckweed stands out for its protein content. Despite not having digestibility values much like those of animal proteins, these nutrients have all of the essential amino acids, which differentiates them from other vegetable proteins. In actual fact, some scientific studies postulate it as a possible substitute for meat, because it also provides vitamin B12.
As well as, Mankai duckweed can also be a source of micronutrients corresponding to iron, iodine, and zinc. Adding it to some human diets improves red blood cell parameterswhich could help to combat anemia.
Finally, special mention must be fabricated from its fiber content. This substance isn’t digestible, even though it is fermentable within the intestine. It stimulates peristalsis and is vital to making sure the correct functioning of the digestive tract.
This fiber could be very useful for the intestinal microbiota. A 2021 in vitro study found that Mankai lentil modulates the bacteria present within the colon, which benefit from the substance to provide helpful compounds not only within the gut, but in addition in the general metabolism of the body.
Discover more: Methods to Eat Seaweed and its Dietary Value
Advantages for the body
Next, let’s discuss the advantages of normal consumption of Mankai duckweed. What does the science say about it?
1. Improves glycemic control
Based on research published within the journal Diabetes Care , duckweed is a useful food to assist lower the glycemic index after meals. This proves to be an important contribution when the goal is to enhance diabetes control.
2. Increases satiety
Individuals who used the seaweed preparation within the aforementioned research also reached postprandial fullness sooner. That is feeling full with less intake, which would cut back subsequent calorie consumption and contribute to the reduction of body weight.
Mankai duckweed has a major amount of fiber, as mentioned above. This substance increases the sensation of satiety, as stated within the study published within the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
This is the reason its regular consumption reduces the danger of snacking between meals.
3. Helps prevent thyroid problems
Like many other forms of seafood, Mankai duckweed has a high iodine content. This nutrient has been shown to be key in regulating the functioning of the thyroid gland, stopping the event of associated pathologies.
Despite this fact, special care must be taken with the quantity of seaweed ingested. An excess would result in the alternative effect. Based on clinical case reportsindividuals who abuse sea vegetables may develop hyperthyroidism.
4. Reduces the danger of anemia
Mankai duckweed is a really suitable food to introduce within the context of a vegan food plan, because it’s a source of vitamin B12 and iron. It might complement the food plan and stop a progression towards anemia. Even in individuals who have already got the disease, the algae has been shown to be an adjuvant for treatment.
Industrial presentations and recipes for Mankai duckweed
This food is on the market in specialized storesoften in powdered form. It will possibly be used to make shakes, energy bars, or bread. You may also prepare infusions and add it to salads.
Smoothie
For the preparation of a smoothie with duckweed, it’s best to mix several green vegetables with water. It’s possible to incorporate spirulina, spinach, carrots, and spinach within the recipe. Every part is beaten until obtaining a semi-liquid texture.
Discover more: Discover the Advantages of Seaweed for Hypothyroidism
Salads
There are two ways of introducing duckweed into the dish. Either as an additional ingredient, in the identical way as other vegetables, or by acquiring a paste which has been made out of the powder of the food. Nonetheless, there are few stores where such a paste is on the market.
Mankai duckweed is a food to include
Mankai duckweed is an appropriate food for a healthy food plan; it’s perfect to introduce within the context of a balanced food plan. Nonetheless, it’s rarely consumed in Western countries, because it’s only available in specialized stores or on the Web.
Even so, it’s a great option for many who follow a vegan food plan, because it lets you increase the day by day intake of vitamin B12. With this strategy, the danger of anemia is significantly reduced.
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All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to make sure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this text was considered reliable and of educational or scientific accuracy.
- Diotallevi, C., Gaudioso, G., Fava, F., Angeli, A., Lotti, C., Vrhovsek, U., … & Tuohy, K. (2021). Measuring the effect of Mankai®(Wolffia globosa) on the gut microbiota and its metabolic output using an in vitro colon model. Journal of Functional Foods, 84104597. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621002462
- Kawamata, Y., Shibui, Y., Takumi, A., Seki, T., Shimada, T., Hashimoto, M., … & Narita, T. (2020). Genotoxicity and repeated-dose toxicity evaluation of dried Wolffia globosa Mankai. Toxicology Reports, 71233-1241. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750020304005
- Kaplan, A., Zelicha, H., Tsaban, G., Meir, A. Y., Rinott, E., Kovsan, J., … & Shai, I. (2019). Protein bioavailability of Wolffia globosa duckweed, a novel aquatic plant–a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(6), 2576-2582. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261561418325779
- Salas Coronas, J., Cruz Caparrós, G., Laynez Bretones, F., & Díez García, F. (2002). Hyperthyroidism induced by consumption of marine algae. Med. clin (Printed ed.)797-798. https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/ibc-13139
- Sela, I., Yaskolka Meir, A., Brandis, A., Krajmalnik-Brown, R., Zeibich, L., Chang, D., … & Shai, I. (2020). Wolffia globosa–mankai plant-based protein incorporates bioactive vitamin B12 and is well absorbed in humans. Nutrients, 12(10), 3067. https://www.mdpi.com/849552
- Warrilow, A., Mellor, D., McKune, A., & Pumpa, K. (2019). Dietary fat, fibre, satiation, and satiety—a scientific review of acute studies. European journal of clinical nutrition, 73(3), 333-344. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-018-0295-7
- Yaskolka Meir, A., Tsaban, G., Zelicha, H., Rinott, E., Kaplan, A., Teenager, I., … & Shai, I. (2019). A green-Mediterranean food plan, supplemented with Mankai duckweed, preserves iron-homeostasis in humans and is efficient in reversal of anemia in rats. The Journal of Nutrition, 149(6), 1004-1011. https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/149/6/1004/5420417
- Zbigniew, S. (2016). Role of iodine in metabolism. Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery, 10(2), 123-126. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/emi/2016/00000010/00000002/art00007
- Zelicha, H., Kaplan, A., Yaskolka Meir, A., Tsaban, G., Rinott, E., Shelef, I., … & Shai, I. (2019). The effect of Wolffia globosa Mankai, a green aquatic plant, on postprandial glycemic response: a randomized crossover controlled trial. Diabetes Care, 42(7), 1162-1169. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/42/7/1162/36181
