Sheeba Majmudar – Singapore nutritionist

By Sheeba Majmudar on Feb 3, 2009

Agar-agar doesn’t just refer to “jelly”. For starters, it’s derived from a species of red algae known as gelidium amansii, says nutritionist Sheeba Majmudar. Besides acting as the main ingredient for jellies, agar (as the gelatin is known in a non-confectionary sense) can be used in other applications: as a non-reactive transport base for medical drugs, a platform for microbiological work, a stabiliser additive in cosmetics or even a laxative, says Alvin Wong, a dietitian from the Department of Dietetic and Food Services at Changi General Hospital.

Nutritional Punch
Ever wonder if agar-agar has any health benefits at all? This gummy dessert may appear to tread in a nutritional no-man’s land, but it’s surprisingly not that bad a dish to consume. “Sea vegetables and algae can be an excellent source of nutrients such as protein and fibre,” says Majmudar. Also, agar-agar is made up of polysaccharides that are, in essence, complex carbohydrates – such carbs are broken down into glucose more slowly by the body, resulting in a constant release of energy. This also allows you to feel fuller for longer. Though certain agar-agar sources may be low in fibre, the right kinds can be “a good source of fibre without significantly increasing caloric intake… great for individuals who don’t meet the daily recommendation of 25-30g of fibre per day,” says Wong.

Diet Down
If you’re clued in to Japanese trends, you’ll have heard of the “kanten diet”, or rather, a diet in which you eat agar-agar before each meal. The result: You could consume less food overall credit to the gelatinous substance’s ability to absorb water and its fibre content, says Majmudar. “Agar-agar contains proteins, polysaccharides, minerals and vitamins and can be incorporated into any food plan,” she says. But as with the kanten diet, she recommends having it before a meal rather than as a dessert to experience the biggest weight-loss benefits. Still, Wong points out that any fibre source (fruits and vegetables included) will have a similar appetite-curbing effect. Adding fruits is the best way to bump up agar-agar’s nutritional content, says Majmudar. “You don’t even need to add sugar. It’s a nutritionally complete food in itself.”

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