Agar Agar Power
Agar agar literally means Cold Heaven and
is a gelatinous substance that is comes from the cell walls of the red seaweeds
Tengusa (Gelidiaceae) or Ogonori (Gracilaria). It
is often used as an alternative to animal dirived gelatine.
As Agar
agar is low in calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar, it is an ideal
addition to any weight loss plan. Agar agar is also an appetite suppressant as
it consists of water-soluble, indigestible fibre. The fiber absorbs water giving a feeling of
fullness and making it easier for people
to lower their food intake. Agar agar also absorbs glucose in the stomach and
passes it quickly through the digestive system. This helps to stabilise blood
sugar and block the storage of fat
The Kanten diet in Japan is used by women
who want to maintain or lose weight. They simply add a teaspoon of the agar
agar powder to tea or hot water and have it before every meal.
The
soluble fibre in Agar agar also absorbs toxins from the gastrointestinal tract
and moves the waste easily out of the body. It is often used as a remedy for
constipation as the fibre in Agar Agar forms bulk by absorbing the water in the
gut. This acts as a healthy and natural laxative.
Agar agar
contains both calcium and magnesium and the combination is excellent for increasing
bone density and for bone health in general.
Agar
agar also contains galactose which is commonly known as “brain sugar”. Galactose
could play a vital part in removing neurotoxic compounds from the brain in
patients that suffer from Alzheimer's disease”.
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| Fresh berry aspic with agar agar |
Agar
agar often replaces gelatin in cooking. It can be used to make healthy and
delicious jellies, mousses, ice cream, jams and to thicken soups and stews. Agar
agar comes in bars, flakes or powder form. A special infusion for constipation
consists of agar agar disolved in boiling water and sweetened with rice syrup.
Here is the Recipe for Agar tea
Place a little more than 1 cup of
spring water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
Add a tablespoon of
Agar-agar flakes or one teaspoon of Agar-agar powder.
Simmer on a low
flame and stir continuously until the flakes have melted
and the liquid becomes clear.
Add a tablespoon of
rice syrup and drink warm.
Good for
Constipation
Bloating and gas
Weight management
Relaxing and cooling
for the body
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| Grain Coffee Mousse using agar agar |
I highly recommend everyone have agar agar in their kitchens and have a go at adding it to simple mousses, puddings, and savory aspics. You will love the results.
Enjoy
Love Melanie xx
