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The health benefits of agar cakes:
1. Promote digestion and improve intestinal health
Relieve constipation
Agar is rich in soluble dietary fibre. It expands dozens of times after absorbing water, which can increase the volume of stool and stimulate intestinal peristalsis. People with long-term constipation can improve the problem of poor defecation by eating moderate amounts.
Regulate intestinal flora
As a prebiotic, agar provides nutrients for beneficial intestinal bacteria and helps maintain the balance of microecology.
2. Assist weight management
Enhance satiety
The swelling property of agar when exposed to water can delay gastric emptying and reduce food intake, making it suitable for people who want to lose weight as a low-calorie meal replacement.
Low-calorie and sugar-free
Agar itself does not contain sugar and contains only about 3 kcal per 100 grammes, avoiding additional calorie intake (Note: if sugar is added to snacks, the amount must be controlled).
3. Support cardiovascular health
Regulate blood lipids and blood pressure
The alginate and sulphate lipid substances in agar can inhibit cholesterol absorption and help lower blood lipids; its high potassium and low sodium properties also help stabilise blood pressure.
Control blood sugar fluctuations
Dietary fibre delays sugar absorption and avoids a sudden rise in blood sugar after a meal, but attention should be paid to the extra sugar added in pastry making.
Fourth, other potential health benefits
Clearing heat and moistening dryness (from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine)
Traditional medicine believes that agar is cold in nature, can clear heat and cool the lungs, relieve dry mouth and tongue, and is suitable for summer or people with dry and hot constitutions.
Supplement minerals
It contains trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, but the content is low, and it needs to be supplemented with other foods.
Eating precautions
Moderate principle
Excessive consumption (especially >10 grammes/day) may cause abdominal distension, diarrhoea, or affect calcium and iron absorption.
Use with caution in special groups
Pregnant women/infants: Agar is cold in nature and can easily cause diarrhoea, and the nutrition is single, so it is not suitable as a staple food.
Weak digestion: People with poor gastrointestinal function need to reduce the amount to avoid adding burden.
Summary
Agar pastries are a high-quality supplement to a healthy diet, especially for people who need to control weight, improve constipation, or regulate blood lipids. It is recommended to consume ≤5 g of agar per day (about 1-2 small pieces of cake) and eat a balanced diet. When making it yourself, you can try recipes such as mango jelly and low-sugar yokan to balance deliciousness and health.
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