Did Europeans eat seaweed already in the Middle Ages?

Did Europeans eat seaweed already in the Middle Ages? Recent research from &' University of Glasgow says yes!

What does the research say

The researchers, in order to conduct the study, analyzed dental plaque taken from the remains of 74 individuals who lived thousands of years ago and from 28 different sites that extended from Scotland to Spain.

Using l&' using a mass spectrometry technique to identify organic compounds, they detected evidence of &' intake of various aquatic plants.

Dr. Hardy, lead author of the research work, has illustrated how this new information allows us to hypothesize that aquatic plants were consumed over a considerably longer period of time than previously known.

The potential of algae

Scholars have also emphasized that algae have the potential to constitute a &' a zero-kilometer food option, with low carbon emissions, that does not require the cultivation on a large scale of the foods commonly found in European diets.

So... why not include them in our diet?

From “easy to consume” dietary supplements, to sushi and finally to the recipes of starred chefs, there are so many possibilities!

Matteo Castioni