The Health-Promoting Properties of Seaweeds: Clinical Evidence based on <i>Wakame</i> and <i>Kombu</i>

In this review, the botany, uses, bioactive metabolites, and health-promoting benefits of Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) Saccharina japonica (kombu) are highlighted. Their clinical evidence is focused on studies conducted in Japan other countries. These two species brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta). Japan, wakame kombu popular food items consumed almost daily. Laboratory shows that carotenoids (fucoxanthin fucoxanthinol), polysaccharides (fucoidan) sterols (fucosterol) metabolites kombu. Wakame displays antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiviral, anticoagulant, antiosteoporotic, hepatoprotective, antiobesity properties. Kombu possesses antithrombotic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antiobesity, antiatherosclerosis, renal protective, vascular antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, gut biota regulatory, neuroprotective activities. Clinical effects intake was based eight five Japan. One case study dealt with severe alopecia areata. Some areas for future research suggested. Information data used review were from databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, J-Stage, PubChem, China Academic Journals, ClinicalTrials.gov.