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Ascophyllum nodosum

Ascophyllum nodosum is a species of seaweed. It is being investigated for its immunostimulatory properties and it may inhibit carbohydrate absorption after supplementation.

Our evidence-based analysis on ascophyllum nodosum features 41 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Ascophyllum nodosum

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Ascophyllum nodosum is a species of seaweed found around the globe. It is one of the many species of seaweed called kelp.

Ascophyllum nodosum contains compounds called phlorotannins, which are unique to seaweed and may be able to inhibit starch and lipid absorption. This effect is very unreliable, to the point where two human studies investigating carbohydrate absorption reported two opposite effects.

Ascophyllum nodosum also contains a compound called ascophyllan, which may have immunostimulatory properties. Ascophyllum nodosum extract has anti-inflammatory properties. Much more research is needed to determine the practical significance of Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation.

Though Ascophyllum nodosum is a healthy food, there is no evidence to support its usefulness as a supplement.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Human studies investigating Ascophyllum nodosum use 4,600 mg of Ascophyllum nodosum extract added to a food product, taken once per day.

More research is needed to determine if this is the optimal dose of Ascophyllum nodosum. Different extract concentrates have not been tested.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Ascophyllum nodosum has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Food Intake
Minor - See study
The reduction in voluntary food intake noted was 16.4% of a test meal (which was 80kcal in this study) and is not likely to make significant effects during weight loss.
grade-d
Appetite
- - See study
The noted reduction in food intake was not associated with decreased appetite.

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

Kelp (one of many species), Egg Wrack, Rockweed

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Click here to see all 41 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 41 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Ascophyllum nodosum.

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