Agar is a great vegetarian alternative to gelatin.
Agar Supplements
Updated Apr. 04th, 2025 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Top Health Benefits of Agar Supplements
- Digestive Health
- Weight Loss Support
- Agar As A Food Additive
- Where To Buy Agar Supplements?
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (9)
Agar is a firm gel made from one of a number of agarophyte ("agar producing") red algae, such as Gelidium amansii. This substance has been used as a food gelling agent throughout history in Asia, particularly in desserts. Because of this it is often currently used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin in a number of different foods and supplements. Also in more recent times, agar has been used as a solid medium upon which bacteria and fungi are grown for microbiological laboratory work.
Top Health Benefits of Agar Supplements
Digestive Health
Agar gel extract is approximately 80% fibre, much of which consists of a pectin, so it can help to regulate digestion and intestinal health; thus helping to treat both diarrhea and constipation.
Weight Loss Support
There are a number of fad diets in Asia, in which agar is eaten before a meal with water. This causes it to triple in size, leading to an earlier sensation of fullness with the meal, thus aiding in weight loss. Because of its use as a fibre, it can also help to moderate the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, helping to regulate blood sugar levels, and can bind to excess cholesterol in the gut.
Agar As A Food Additive
Because of its similarity to gelatin, agar is often used as a thickening agent for foods. Gelatin is made from extracts from the bones of animals. Agar is sourced from red algae and thus can easily be used to replace gelatin as a vegetarian thickening agent in foods and supplements.
Where To Buy Agar Supplements?
Agar can be found in combination products for digestive health, and in a number of vegetarian and Asian food options. It can also be found alone in powdered form, so it can be supplemented directly or used in the preparation of foods like jellies and desserts. There is no established dose of agar, but the dietary fibre requirements are between 25 and 38g per day. Agar can help to cover any gaps in your diet, as you require. It can be taken before or with a meal to help slow sugar absorption and to increase the sensation of fullness. Doses used for this are generally between 2 and 5g per dose with meals.
Agar is a great gelatin substitute and thickener. I didn't realize people could use it for the other applications that NN recommends. It's interesting how what is traditionally a food additive is also medicinal - let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food is so true!
Hello Steph,
Indeed, Agar had many health benefits, which makes using it as a substitute even better! We're glad you're enjoying our articles and learning more about natural health alternatives and things you use along the way.
Stay healthy & well.
I use Agar in making a sweet tofu dessert (Tofu Fah). I ate it often growing up, it's a comfort food for me now. Vegetarians use Agar as a substitute for gelatin, but be aware that once Agar is gelatinized, it will not dissolve again when heated like gelatin will. If this doesn't matter to you, then ignore this. :)
Hello Elisa,
Thank you for sharing. That dessert sounds delicious! Here are our recipes if you'd like to check them out:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay healthy & well.
I recall my mom using agar in her dessert making but had no idea of the benefits i.e. digestion, constipation etc. This makes me want to try it out for the benefits it offers. I have used it as a thickener but found it did not work as well as many others available.
I recall my mother using Agar when making desserts and thats all I knew agar was for! I have also used it in other cooking. From this article I have learned the other uses especially as a digestive remedy and good for weight loss also. Wow, who knew that. That is so good to know. The article has other tips that I will most definitely consider. I love these articles by National Nutrition as they provide trustworthy information.
Hello Al,
So happy to hear you were able to learn more about Agar and its benefits! Glad you're finding our articles beneficial. You may enjoy our youtube channel as well:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBjYPog9j0VY0gcIt-Tq2Q
Have a healthy day!
I had thought that agar or at least agarose was toxic to humans. Seeing your article mention it culinarily made it clear to me that there must be some holes in my understanding. I did a bit more research and while agar can cause a esophagus or bowel if not taken with sufficient water (makes sense given how high fiber it is), it is indeed nontoxic. It is interesting that algae components like carrageenan have applications for the food industry. Thank you for clarifying my misconception and it is cool to know agar can also be used medicinally, as well as in the lab and in food science!
Hello Rachel,
Thanks for sharing. We're glad our article could help clarify and provide a better understanding of all of Agar's benefits.
Keep learning with us here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/fiber/