Recent research suggests that seaweed which has antioxidant properties, may slow down the aging process, perhaps because it protects certain parts of the brain from oxidative damaged caused by free radicals.
Mice fed with seaweedblend in their drinking water lived an average of 18% longer (28,1 months) than those that did not receive seaweedblend (23,8 months). Fruit fly`s maximum lifespan increased from 61,2 days (in the control specimens) to 81,5 days, an increase of 33,2%, the average increase in lifespan in these tiny critters was 13,5%.
Does seaweed also slow down aging in humans? We don´t know yet. Although the animal results are tantalizing , we must remember that it is a long way from fruit flies and mice to humans.