There were a number of factors cited in the study, published in 2000, including the lower incidences of red meat consumption and tobacco use.

Sea vegetables were given credit for contributing a very positive diet influence.  Sea vegetables may sound strange. but we have a closer relationship with them than you might imagine.  Carrageenan, (known as Irish Moss),  is a by-product of carrageen and is used extensively as an emulsifying, thickening and gelling additive in ice creams, jellies, biscuits, milk shakes and frozen desserts, even in some cosmetics and medicines !

Nori is the seaweed wrapper used for sushi and can be cut into strips, for instance, and added to salads and other foods providing textural variations for otherwise common preparations.

I found a great resource here at DMOZ for sea vegetables with extensive information and links. One of which,  Sea Vegetable Cuisine by Aveline Kushi,  gives examples of use and nutritional information.

Ryan Drum has compiled a lot more information including some health specific benefits to be found in sea veggies, and Wikipedia also provides a guide.

Seth Braun, writing for eCo Times,  talks about sea vegetables and superfoods as well as algae in a second article.

Please take a few moments to check out Michael Guiry and his seaweed site.  His links lead to even more material.

*************************************************************

“I also have a lot of preserved foods, things that will keep for a long time like dried fish, seaweed or lotus seed.”

Martin Yan