Natural sunscreen compounds show potential to support skin health and blood pressure (Edible seaweed)

Medical Xpress / Meijo University / Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry ^ | Jan. 30, 2026 | Taiki Aono et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers have discovered that natural "sunscreen" compounds found in algae and cyanobacteria may also support skin and heart health. By comparing two mycosporine-like amino acids, the team showed for the first time that these molecules can block a key enzyme involved in blood pressure control in laboratory tests, while also offering antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

Natural compounds produced by seaweeds and microscopic organisms have long helped these species survive intense sunlight. Known as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), these molecules act as natural sunscreens by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and protecting cells from damage.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in controlling blood pressure by regulating how blood vessels tighten and relax. Many commonly prescribed medicines for hypertension work by blocking this enzyme.

To explore this, the research team compared two MAAs with different chemical structures. One was porphyra-334, a typical MAA commonly found in edible seaweed. The other was GlcHMS326, an atypically modified MAA that contains additional chemical groups.

Porphyra-334 was extracted from dried seaweed, while GlcHMS326 was isolated from a cyanobacterium collected from a hot spring in Thailand.

The team found that GlcHMS326 acted as a strong but slow-working antioxidant, suggesting sustained rather than immediate activity, while porphyra-334 showed weaker antioxidant effects.

The researchers also examined antiglycation activity. Glycation is a process in which sugar molecules bind to proteins, reducing their flexibility and function. This process plays a role in skin aging and some chronic diseases. In these tests, porphyra-334 was more effective than GlcHMS326 at preventing protein damage.

One of the most notable findings came from experiments on ACE inhibition. Both compounds reduced the activity of this enzyme in laboratory tests, marking the first report of such an effect for MAAs.

Porphyra-334 is abundant in edible seaweed, which is already consumed widely in many countries.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

[ConservativeMind]

Common seaweeds you find at the store contain Porphyra-334, which was found to reduce glycation (tissue aging) and help with ACE inhibition, reducing blood pressure.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Repeal The 17th]

“Edible seaweed”
-
In my world, there is no such thing.

[Veto!]

You don’t have to dive down, pull it up by it’s roots and chomp down on it. I buy flaked seaweed from Maine at AMZ and when I have fish (mostly Alaskan salmon,} I sprinkle a few seaweed flakes on it along withjuice from a lemon wedge. .

Years ago, I saw a special on PBS that showed hem harvesting seaweed from a partcular bay in Maine, so far North that the waters are clean. And of course AMZ carries it. Also sell tiny tablets of Icelandic Kelp. They can cram a lot of iodine-rich seaweed into one tiny tablet. Of course a tab has no taste if you just swallow it with water. Part of the pile of pills in mypillkeeper thatI take every day.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Ethel Merman disapproves, loudly................................................

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[ptsal]

Actually, the edible seaweed sold at Costco (even the ones on Texas) are tasty. The first sensation is a taste of seawater that reminds me of my first swim in the ocean...faint salty taste. Then chewing it up there is a umami sensation with a little appetitie suppressant. If the straight chew is not your thing, then use scissors and cut small strips to garnish a salad or soup. The seaweed is also a natural source of iodine.

[wally_bert]

I used to get some from Amazon that was a tad too spicy but otherwise edible.

[BereanBrain]

Ever wondered why everybody sunburns so easy? A: Because you are consuming seed oils, not good fats.

If you use over-the-counter sun-screen and some moisturizers, they contain a compound that will transform into benzene, a known powerful carcinogen.

If you are eating food with sodium benzoate in it (most prepared food in the USA has it), in the presence of certain chemicals or vitamins, it transforms into - wait for it - Benzene. JUST ONE EXAMPLE: Most bacon is loaded with sodium benzoate. Eat a slice of bacon for breakfast. Take a sip of your Orange Juice...Congrats, you just created benzene in your stomach! Don’t believe me? Google it! Yes, this is a known drawback - the FDA knows about it....How many people do you think have bacon and drink OJ in the AM?

Don’t use SUNSCREEN. Instead EAT REAL FATS, not seed oils in anything! Don’t eat food with Sodium Benzoate!

[Manuel OKelley]

Wait until you see the links between linoleic acid from seed oils/ omega 6 FA’s and sunburn.

I’s very fair skinned and after almost 2 years of a 95%+ reduction in seed oil intake I can be out in the summer Texas sun all day with just coconut oil or nothing and barely turn red anymore