4 Health Benefits of Agar Agar You Need To Know

If you are an avid pastry chef, then you know about agar. But, if you are new, agar agar, also known as China grass, is more of a jelly substance. It is used as a substitute for gelatin, which is an animal-based ingredient. It becomes gel form at room temperature when mixed with hot water making it perfect for desserts.

It is an odorless and colorless substance that can be easily mixed with any ingredient depending on the texture you want. Moreover, agar agar has various health benefits too. This plant-based food thickener aids in weight loss, boosts digestive health, and more.

What is it made from?

The plant-based gelatin form is a jelly-like substance that comes from red algae. It is mainly acquired from the walls of the cell of two species of red algae, Oganori and Tengusa.

At first, this substance was used in Southeast Asian countries as a gelling agent. It was used in puddings, custards and soufflés. Later, it has been widely used as a medium for growing microbes due to its high melting temperature.

Apart from the food industry, the jelling agent is used in industries like immunology, dentistry, electrochemistry, and farming.

What are the types of agar agar?

Agar agar comes in two varieties.

The first one is powdered form, and it is the simplest way to use it. Just combine it with hot water to melt and set it.

The second form is agar agar strips. These are less concentrated than the powdered form and may be soluble in a double boiler.

Health benefits of the plant-based gelatin

• It boosts weight loss

Because it is minimal in fats, calories, sugar, and carbs, agar agar is regarded as an excellent complement to weight reduction strategies. It is also well-known as a "hydrophilic colloid," an appetite suppressant that consists mostly of water-soluble, indigestible fiber. It draws and retains moisture, boosting bulk with relatively few calories and providing a sensation of fullness that helps individuals to eat less. When Agar Agar moves through the body, it captures glucose in the stomach and swiftly passes it down the digestive tract, preventing it from being stored as fat.

• It is excellent for bone health

The substance is rich in both calcium and magnesium. Calcium is a well-known contributor to bone health making it healthy and strong. But did you know that you have to balance it with magnesium to enhance bone density? The frequent issue that western countries face is too much calcium and a lack of enough magnesium in their diets. This leads to the formation of gallstones and kidney stones, and even painful joint calcification. 

Fortunately, agar agar has a perfect balance of both of these vital minerals and it also contains manganese, which is an essential nutrient for bone development and metabolism.

• It enhances digestive health

Agar Agar's fiber provides several digestive advantages. It collects toxins from the gastrointestinal system and transports them effectively out of the body. The soluble fiber present in agar agar collects water in the stomach and produces bulk, acting as a natural laxative. It is often used for treating constipation. One of the pillars of gut health is bowel regulation and cleaning.

• It impacts brain health positively

It is a polymer made up of subunits of the simple sugar molecule galactose, sometimes known as "brain sugar" in the industry. It is required for cognitive development in infants and children and can be produced endogenously by the body or obtained through products such as agar.

So, if you were thinking about whether to use agar, you don’t have to think twice. It is completely safe and has various health benefits too. Furthermore, it is an excellent food jelling agent, but make sure to use a good quality agar agar product. Cape Crystal Brands would be the best go-to option for you! We offer top-quality and safe agar products that you can easily use in any of your recipes. To buy our product, visit our website (https://www.capecrystalbrands.com/). For more information, you can contact us at 1-908-273-5600 or email us at info@capecrystalbrands.com.