As the world battles rising chronic disease and climate instability, seaweed is emerging as a rare solution to both. Once relegated to coastal cuisines, this fast-growing marine macroalgae is now surfacing in dietary supplements, snacks, bioplastics and even methane-reducing livestock feed.
Seaweed has emerged as a promising solution to help meet global food and material demands without expanding agricultural land. Researchers from institutions including the University of Queensland, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization found that scaling up the cultivation of commercially valuable seaweed species could significantly ease pressure on terrestrial farming. These findings underscore seaweed’s potential to support both food security and climate goals, provided land and ocean resources are managed in an integrated, sustainable way.
According to a Science Direct article, Western diets are deficient in fiber and essential micronutrients, contributing to gut imbalances, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Seaweed, particularly sugar kelp, naturally fills these gaps with a potent mix of insoluble fibers such as fucoidan, beta-glucan, alginate, and cellulose. When fermented by gut bacteria, these fibers produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds linked to improved insulin sensitivity, satiety, and immune health.
Seaweed Health Support From The Ocean
OCEANIUM, a UK-based biotech founded by Karen Scofield Seal and Dr. Charlie Bavington, is using seaweed to support both people and planet. Their flagship product, OCEAN ACTIVES® H+, delivers a clinically proven 250 mg dose that improves the ratio of beneficial to harmful gut bacteria, specifically increasing Bifidobacterium while decreasing Enterobacteriaceae.
The company’s proprietary green biorefinery process ensures their ingredients are bioavailable, food-safe, and traceable from sea to shelf. OCEANIUM is also collaborating with Wageningen University on dementia-prevention research through the gut-brain axis and working with Reading University to explore human and pet nutrition.
From a sustainability standpoint, seaweed requires no land, freshwater, or fertilizer, making it one of the most sustainable crops on Earth. According to the company, it supports six UN Sustainable Development Goals, absorbs CO₂ and nitrogen, and increases marine biodiversity.
OCEANIUM is not alone in the innovation game. PhycoHealth in Australia produces seaweed-based capsules targeting gut and skin health. FutureFeed, another Australian agritech company, has developed a seaweed-based cattle feed supplement that cuts methane emissions by over 80%, according to CSIRO.
Challenges Facing Seaweed And The Way Forward
Despite its potential, seaweed still faces hurdles to mainstream adoption. Limited processing infrastructure poses a bottleneck to scaling, and its taste and texture can be off-putting to some consumers. According to the OCEANIUM team, overcoming these challenges requires offering products in familiar, easy-to-use formats with a neutral flavor profile. Their approach focuses on refining seaweed into versatile ingredients that seamlessly integrate into everyday foods like snacks, soups, and protein bars. Just as crucial is consumer education, emphasizing seaweed’s health benefits and sustainability value to build trust and encourage widespread use.
Seaweed is no longer a fringe ingredient, it is a frontier crop with the potential to nourish people and regenerate the planet. Backed by science, powered by innovation, and aligned with global sustainability goals, seaweed offers a rare convergence of health, climate, and economic opportunity. Seaweed brands are proving that with smart processing, strategic partnerships, and consumer education, seaweed can transcend its niche and become a mainstream force in food systems, bioeconomy, and environmental resilience. The path forward isn’t without obstacles, but if cultivated with care, this marine resource could help reshape the future of both nutrition and planetary stewardship.