Wakame Salad with Sesame-Soy Dressing

Name: Wakame Salad with Sesame-Soy Dressing
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon dry wakame; 2 tablespoons roasted sesame oil; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 lemon (juiced); 1 teaspoon honey; 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds (crushed); 1 teaspoon sambal oelek (optional)

By Dada Shivananda·Beginner

In many parts of Asia, wakame salad and other sea vegetables are dietary staples, offering a wealth of health benefits. When I first introduced this salad to my friends in the West, many were unfamiliar with the nutritional value of algae. However, with the rising global popularity of sushi, nori seaweed has become widely recognized. A major contributor to the West's growing awareness of sea vegetables was George Ohsawa, whose studies on the macrobiotic lifestyle helped bridge the knowledge gap.

Sea vegetables are an exceptional source of essential minerals, uniquely structured in a single-layered atomic form, making them highly bioavailable to our system. Rich in iron and iodine, they play a crucial role in maintaining and stimulating thyroid function. When consumed regularly in small amounts—alongside specific yoga postures—seaweed can help improve goiters without the need for drastic medical intervention. Additionally, a sentient diet incorporating sea vegetables can balance thyroid hormone secretion, support overall metabolic health, and alleviate conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

One of the most remarkable compounds found in seaweed is fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide present in various brown seaweeds, including wakame, kombu, hijiki, mizuki, Irish moss, arame, dulse, nori, and bladderwrack. It is also found in sea cucumbers. Research on human colon cancer cells has demonstrated fucoidan's ability to induce selective apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous cells. This could explain why the Okinawans of Japan, known for their longevity, showed resilience against cancer and were able to recover from nuclear exposure.

However, with increasing ocean contamination from heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, it is crucial to source seaweed from reputable, certified suppliers. In particular, Atlantic-harvested seaweed is a safer option, as Pacific sources have been affected by Fukushima radiation.