Definitions of Agar

Agar

The term agar is synonymous with agar or agar-agar. It is a gelatinous type substance that is obtained from certain algae.

Agar is a polysaccharide made up of galactose, a simple sugar. When dissolved in high-temperature water and then cooled, it acquires its gelatin consistency.

This substance is used in various contexts. Agar can be used to thicken food preparations and to rinse beer, for example. It also serves as a culture medium for the development of fungi and bacteria.

In China and Japan, agaragar has been used since ancient times to treat various disorders of the organism, since its medicinal properties are really worth noting; for example, by combining this algae with others it is possible to treat excess cholesterol, constipation (since it is a natural laxative), obesity or even purify the digestive system, through alkalinization and cleaning of the blood.

The secret behind the many healing properties of the agaragar lies in its richness in the minerals magnesium, calcium, iodine and potassium, in addition to its high content of prebiotic fiber. Although it is not so widely used in home cooking, it is a very beneficial food that can be consumed in various ways, such as in capsules or as an ingredient to prepare different dishes; the vegans use it to thicken their meals, in cases in which other people would use egg whites.

The high fiber content of the agaragar seaweed, as well as the gelatine that can be obtained from it, is ideal for dealing with a large number of digestive problems. In the specific case of constipation, it promotes the evacuation of the intestine, and it is recommended to use it in powder: it is enough to dilute a tablespoon in two cups of cold water so that it thickens and turns into gelatin.

On the other hand, agar is also recommended to treat hemorrhoids, since its properties include hydration of the fecal bolus, improvement of the intestinal flora and stimulation of peristalsis (bowel movement). Taken together, these actions promote evacuation, something that accelerates the healing of hemorrhoids.

Since agar has almost no calories, it is ideal for treating obesity and other metabolic problems, which is why many nutritionists recommend including it in weight loss diets. Its fibers, on the other hand, collaborate with the cleaning of body fat, since they carry bile salts and cholesterol in the intestine. Diarrhea, colitis and gastroenteritis, among other intestinal diseases, can also be combated with the help of agaragar.

The agar plates are plates having certain nutrient agar and to function in the field of microbiology, as the culture medium of microorganisms and even plants small. In certain cases antibiotics are added.

In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, within the district called Shajapur, there is a city called Hagar. Located just over two hundred kilometers away from Bhopal, the state capital, Agar has about 40,000 inhabitants.

According to the Bible, on the other hand, Hagar was a slave who was a couple with Abraham, with whom she had a son: Ishmael. The wife of Abraham, Sarah, expelled Hagar from their land and so this woman had to wander in the desert.

It is important to mention that, since Sarah seemed sterile, Abraham had offspring with his servant. However, after the birth of Ishmael, Abraham and Sarah finally managed to conceive Isaac, as detailed in certain biblical traditions.

Agar