Since very old the man uses seaweeds. Their diversity and qualities make them susceptible of being used in feeding, agriculture, cosmetic and medicine.

Today it is known that the prehistoric man already knew to appreciate the kindness of seaweeds like food: healthy, rich and nutritious. Along the history some societies incorporated them in their habitual diet, becoming this way a common and traditional food in their kitchen: big areas of Asian continent, Chile or French Britain, they are some of the good known ones.

In the alimentary industry it is very common, and it is broadly extended, the use of seaweed extracts (E-400; E-405) as ingredients in the elaboration of foods as: yogurts, marmalades, etc.

The use of seaweeds in agriculture is traditional in the coastal areas. The farmers harvest seaweeds washed ashore (seaweed deposited in the beaches by sea water) to incorporate, in the fields of vegetables cultivation.
The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry also benefits of the kindness of seaweeds.

In the production of cosmetics it is very extended the use of certain extracts with object of improving the mechanical qualities of the product. But, even more interesting it is the fact that seaweeds contain molecules that actively participate in the beneficial effects that they offer certain cosmetics.

Seaweeds are used in pharmaceutical industry in the elaboration of medicines. Nowadays, present molecules are studied in seaweeds that are active in tumour processes, in processes of regulation of the cholesterol and other illnesses or common alterations. Besides the healing benefits, seaweeds are very healthy and its inclusion in the diet can prevent the appearance of numerous physiologic alterations.