Seaweed trialled to lower blood sugar

SEAWEED is being investigated as a way of reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The condition begins with insulin resistance, where insulin becomes less effective at controlling blood sugar. At first, the pancreas produces extra insulin to make up for this, but, over time, it cannot keep up and is not able to make enough to maintain blood glucose (sugar) at normal levels.

In a pilot trial at the University of Roehampton, scientists are now looking at the effects of various nutrients in brown seaweed supplements, including polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals, to see if they make insulin more effective.