Hijiki Seaweed

Hijiki (ヒジキ, 鹿尾菜 or 羊栖菜, hijiki) (Sargassum fusiforme, syn. Hizikia fusiformis) is a highly nutritious Traditional Japanese seaweed. It is dried, soaked to rehydrate, and used as an ingredient in Japanese seaweed salads or to garnish steamed Japanese rice. Its regular consumption may be linked to black hair/the natural darkening of hair color and anti-aging effects.
== Benefits ==
Hijiki has been a part of the Japanese culinary sphere and diet for centuries. It is rich in dietary fiber (Fucoidan) and essential minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. According to Japanese folklore, hijiki aids health and beauty, and thick, black, lustrous hair is connected to regular consumption of small amounts.[citation needed] Hijiki has been sold in United Kingdom natural products stores for 30 years and its culinary uses have been adopted in North America.
Recent studies have shown that hijiki contains potentially toxic quantities of inorganic arsenic (if consumed in excess/large amounts), and the food safety agencies of several countries (excluding Japan), including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have advised against its consumption (despite Hijiki's safety if eaten in moderation/small amounts and harvested from clean waters lacking arsenic).
However, Hijiki seaweed appears to be safe in small amounts, unless an excess of Hijiki is consumed in a short time period. Japanese rarely consume an excess and rarely, if ever, suffer any arsenic poisoning from it.
Category:Seaweed
Category:Japanese Food Glossary
Category:Macrobiotic Food Glossary
Category:Salads