Because mekabu seaweed contains richer viscous components derived from soluble fibers such as alginic acid and fucoidan as well as minerals and unsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid than wakame fronds, it is occasionally consumed as health food but its medical values has yet to be adequately substantiated to date.
アルギン酸やフコイダンなどの水溶性食物繊維に由来するぬめり成分やミネラル、エイコサペンタエン酸などの不飽和脂肪酸を葉状部よりも多く含むため、健康食品として摂取されることもあるが、必ずしも十分な医学的根拠を得るには至っていない。