© Provided by Real Simple Madeleine Steinbach/Adobe Stock

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of algae might be pond scum or that greenish stuff that collects on the surface of underused pools. But did you know there are several other types of algae that aren't just edible, but healthy, too? 

You may be familiar with eating seaweed already, thanks to delicious menu items like nori-wrapped sushi—but the world of edible algae extends well beyond your favorite spicy tuna roll to include varieties like chlorella, spirulina, and sea moss. These microplants are rich in nutrients and are thought to provide a host of health benefits when consumed. 

"Algae is very efficient at synthesizing and making bioactive compounds," says Ralph Esposito, ND, LAc, naturopathic physician, functional medicine practitioner, and acupuncturist specializing in integrative urology, endocrinology, and nutrigenomics (the study of how food/nutrition impacts your genes). In layman's terms, this means that algae can take in sunlight and nutrients from the environment and transform them into nutrients and compounds our bodies can use. "This includes things like omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin K, zinc, magnesium, and, interestingly, it can make methylated (active) forms of B vitamins like B12 and folate," Esposito explains. 

It's not recommended to harvest your own algae for consumption, since many types can be toxic. While most edible algae is found in dietary supplement form (although certain seaweeds can be found in their raw form), Esposito cautions not to take any supplement blindly, and to look for algae products that come from clean waters without any metals, contaminants, or other environmental pollutants. 

Gallery: 6 high-protein, plant-based foods the longest-living people on the planet eat (INSIDER)

"Some things to look for are NSF certification and third-party testing," he says. "Remember, a company can get a third party to test their product but it doesn't mean they always pass. NSF certification confirms they are tested and they pass."  

Most importantly, always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, and remember that eating whole, healthy foods and a balanced diet is the best way to fuel your body, rather than relying on supplements.

RELATED: Kelp Is the Healthy, Sustainable—and Delicious!—Food Experts Want Us to Eat More Of

There are many different types of algae you can eat, each with its own unique set of characteristics and health properties. Here are four varieties to know about, and why they're supposedly so good for you.

According to Esposito, chlorella—a type of nutrient-dense, single-celled green algae that lives in freshwater—is a real superstar of the algae family in terms of its health properties. Chlorella has been found to provide both macronutrients (namely protein) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and iron). 

It's also a powerful natural detoxifier. "Chlorella's superpower is its ability to assist the body in detoxification, especially of persistent environmental pollutants like dioxins," Esposito says. "One of the more common dioxins is polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are becoming more prevalent in our water supply and contaminating many of our freshwater ecosystems, including the fish that live there. Because nature is very intelligent, it's no surprise that chlorella (which is found mostly in freshwater) has been shown to reduce the absorption of dioxins and help us eliminate them."

Similar to chlorella, spirulina is a blue-green algae that rivals the former for its antioxidant properties. Unlike chlorella, spirulina can be digested by the human body in its whole food form, however, it's still most commonly found as a powder or in tablets. Spirulina has a slightly higher protein content than chlorella content, which makes it a popular choice among plant-based eaters. One benefit that spirulina and chlorella share is the potential to boost heart health by lowering triglycerides and LDL ("bad") cholesterol among those who consume them. Spirulina has a fairly mild flavor and pairs well in smoothies with tropical ingredients like a coconut, kale, ginger, and mint combo.

RELATED: 4 Health Benefits of Spirulina—Plus, When You Should Avoid It 

The terms "algae" and "seaweed" are often used interchangeably, but the two are actually quite distinct. While both grow in aquatic environments, seaweed is a type of algae that is only found in the sea (hence its name), while algae refers to plants that can be found in all types of bodies of water, fresh and salty. And while seaweed is considered a type of microalgae, the two have cellular and other differences that lead experts to consider them in separate categories. Health-wise, seaweeds like nori, kombu, wakame, and dulse have been shown to be beneficial sources of protein, fiber, minerals, and fatty acids. Working together, the compounds and nutrients present in seaweeds are helpful for everything from reducing inflammation at the cellular level (a main culprit of chronic disease), to improving thyroid function due to high iron content. Because of this, it's important for people who have hyperthyroidism to monitor their intake of seaweed to avoid aggravating their condition. In addition to wrapping sushi, add seaweed to miso soup, toss it into fried rice, or munch on crunchy, salted seaweed sheets (found in most grocery stores) between meals for a savory and satisfying snack.

This form of red seaweed has gained popularity in wellness circles recently—though more scientific studies are needed to understand just how healthy it is to consume (including the risks). There are two types of sea moss: Irish sea moss and regular sea moss, and both species offer similar health benefits. A "mucilaginous" food, sea moss is slimy in texture and can act as a soothing agent in the gut, helping with digestive issues. Like other seaweeds, sea moss is also a good source of minerals including iodine, which the thyroid needs to make hormones, regulate metabolism, and more important functions. But note that you can consume too much iodine, so don't start going crazy with the sea moss before talking to your doctor and/or a registered dietitian.

Sea moss is usually sold in powdered form, but can also be found raw in health food stores and online. If you're planning to mix it into a smoothie, be warned that it can taste a little fishy, so prepare to include other tasty add-ins. 

RELATED: How to Cook With Kelp, Kale's Sea-Based Best Friend 

Read the original article on Real Simple