Seaweed exporters given a boost by latest research from Teagasc

SEAWEED exporters have been given a welcome lift by new Teagasc research that confirms that marine plant products extracted from seas around Ireland and Canada are good for the heart.

The joint Irish-Canadian study found that people can gain medical boosts from the heart-health compounds contained in the plants studied, including ACE inhibitors, antioxidants and essential fatty acids (lipids).

This will come as welcome news to those exporting €10 million worth of Irish seaweed annually, as well as under-pinning Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s ambitious plans to double current export levels to €20m by 2013.