Seaweed and Gut Health: Why Seagreens Brown Wrack Species Support a Healthy Microbiome

Over the past decade, scientists have discovered just how important the gut microbiome is. The trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive system influence immunity, metabolism, inflammation, mood and energy levels. One of the best ways to support this inner ecosystem is through prebiotic foods, which feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Among natural foods, wild brown wrack seaweeds stand out. These are the species Seagreens has studied and produced for human nutrition for more than twenty five years.

What makes Seagreens brown wrack seaweed special

The brown wrack family includes Ascophyllum (Knotted Wrack), Fucus (Bladder Wrack) and Pelvetia (Channelled Wrack). These are the core species in Seagreens products.

They contain unique fibres and polysaccharides, including alginates and fucoidans, that human digestive enzymes cannot break down. Instead, these fibres travel to the lower intestine, where they become food for beneficial bacteria.

This is what makes them natural prebiotics.

Research shows that brown seaweed fibres can:

• Increase Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, two of the most important groups for gut health (Cherry et al., 2022).
• Support bacteria that produce short chain fatty acids, which help maintain a healthy gut lining (Hall et al., 2021).
• Encourage the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, linked to better metabolic health and gut barrier integrity (Li et al., 2022).

These benefits are not generic to all seaweeds. They are specific to brown wrack species, and Seagreens uses them in their whole, wild form.

The Seagreens difference

Seagreens is unique because it has spent more than two decades studying these particular brown wrack species, how they grow, how they behave in digestion, and how their nutrients vary across seasons and locations.

This long term research has shown that Seagreens brown wrack species can:

• Slow the release of sugars into the bloodstream, helping maintain steady energy (Brownlee et al., 2005).
• Provide antioxidant protection during digestion, supporting the gut lining (Wheater, 2012).
• Influence digestive enzymes in a way that supports comfortable digestion and balanced metabolism (Cornish et al., 2015).
• Act as natural prebiotics with measurable effects on gut bacteria (Lyon, 2012).

More recent studies confirm that brown seaweed extracts can reduce inflammation and support gut barrier function (Shannon and AbuGhannam, 2021; Shannon et al., 2023).

Because Seagreens harvests, prepares and analyses these species with exceptional care, you know exactly what you are getting and why it works.

Easy daily support for your gut

Seagreens Culinary Ingredient, Salad and Condiment, and Food Capsules make it simple to add these prebiotic fibres to everyday meals.

Taken daily, they help support:

• a diverse microbiome
• digestive comfort
• healthy metabolism
•  gut barrier integrity
• overall wellbeing

Seagreens remains the only seaweed produced exclusively for evidence based human nutrition, available through trusted partners and practitioners in sixteen countries.