Watch out, wild salmon: a fashionable oceanic marvel is on its way to steal your thunder. It is rising in popularity right now, with supporters hailing the red seaweeds as a nutrient that can boost a variety of health benefits.
If you’re one of the millions of people who have switched to a plant-based diet, sea moss could seem more like a natural step in increasing your health benefits.
According to social media chatter, sea moss is said to reduce inflammation, aid weight loss, promote thyroid health, smooth skin wrinkles, improve digestion, and more. Let’s take a deeper look at sea moss’ nutritional value as well as the plant’s possible benefits and drawbacks as we journey through this content.
Summary sea moss is a spiny sea vegetable gathered primarily for use as a thickening agent in processed meals and health supplements.
If you’ve come across sea moss supplements, then you might be wondering how to use them and if there are any other methods to ingest sea moss.
This article explores the possible benefits of sea moss and drawbacks of sea moss and its nutritional value and preparation methods.
It has been getting a lot of attention recently, and for a good reason! This nutrient-dense red algae has a slew of health benefits. However, before becoming a moss boss, you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages.
Table of Contents
What exactly is sea moss?
These red seaweeds, also referred to as carrageen, or Chondrus crispus, its scientific name, have long been collected commercially for their carrageen, a thickening and preservative addition. You may have unknowingly consumed carrageen, a sea moss-derived substance in ice creams, non-dairy milk, and several pharmaceuticals.
However, the entire facility has been gaining attention in recent months. Dried sea moss can now be purchased whole or powdered into capsules in health food stores. Fans swirl, clumping litter powdered sea moss and moss gel into beverages, soups, cereal bowls, and more. In addition, you may have seen wellness influencers on social media stating that their daily dosage of seawater has made them feel and look better.
Red seaweed has been consumed by people of many cultures for centuries, notably during Ireland’s Great Famine. However, whether a regular sea moss supplement can enhance your health is debatable.
There are also sea moss supplements with a high concentration of essential vitamins and minerals. They are nutritious sea vegetables that look like other algae, seaweeds, and other sea vegetables like dulse or kelp.
Sea moss is available in various colors, including green, purple, yellow, red, black, and brown. Red is one of the most common types that grow in warmer waters.
Sea moss health benefits.
Some nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, fiber, potassium, and others, are found in small amounts in sea moss. However, there is little evidence linking the plant’s nutritional information to the flashy health benefits recommended by some purveyors and fans.
“Sea moss research is just getting started,” says Ginger Hultin, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Seattle and author of How to Eat to Beat Disease and Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep Cookbook. “Many of the studies have been in a lab, on only a small number of specific health conditions, so there’s a lot more we need to know and understand over time with more research.”
The United States Food And Drug Administration does not assess sea moss items for potency, safety, or effectiveness before they hit the market, as it does with all nutritional supplements, so it’s difficult to know what you’re getting. Furthermore, most sea moss items are not inexpensive: A capsules container might cost up to $40. So let’s take a closer look at the health claims before you wander on this oceanic bandwagon.
Sea moss improves gut health.
According to a nutritionist in Stamford, and founder of Plant-Based Eats, it’s possible but not proven to consume sea moss because it might support gut health. Scientists who have done more research discovered that the fibers in sea moss might serve as healthy bacteria in humans, i.e., food for the good bacteria in the stomach. Still, it’s too early to judge what advantages this may have.
Rats fed a diet rich in sea moss had more helpful gut bacteria (such as B. breve) and less possibly dangerous bacteria, according to one animal research (like C. septicum). Future research should look at if others have similar reactions and the long-term health consequences.
Can assist in conceiving
Although raw sea moss has a strong history of use as a fertility remedy for both men and women, there is no scientific evidence to support any of this. So what are your chances of hearing anything concerning reproductive health and sea moss?
Some members of #TeamPeen believe it can help them increase sperm count and testosterone level. In addition, there are reports that the high nutritional content of ovaries can improve egg health in people who have them. However, keep in mind that none of this is based on scientific evidence.
WW Science Team discovered no evidence that eating sea moss increases a person’s pregnancy chances. Instead, the assertion is based on the assumption that sea moss includes minerals like folate and zinc, which, when ingested at insufficient levels, can help with fertility.
On the other hand, raw sea moss is deficient in both nutrients, containing only 18.2 micrograms of folate (far below the 400 mcg RDA for non-pregnant individuals) and tiny quantities of zinc in just two tablespoons.
Benefit in thyroid health.
Is it possible to prevent thyroid illness by eating wakame salad? No. One of the benefits of sea moss is that it enhances thyroid function and helps to improve it, especially when adding sea moss to diets. It is high in iodine, an essential vitamin for thyroid function. Iodine shortage can create metabolic problems by preventing your thyroid from manufacturing vital hormones.
And according to the National Institutes of Health, adults require 150 mcg of iodine each day. On the other hand, wellness sea moss contains roughly 47 milligrams of iodine per gram, so a little goes a very long way.
Iodine is a mineral that aids in producing thyroid hormones, which regulate heart rate, metabolism, and a variety of other physiological functions. Sea moss powder also contains a significant amount of iodine: According to human research, each ounce contains roughly 47 mcg of iodine or 31% of the recommended daily intake of 150 mcg for individuals who are not breastfeeding or pregnant.
Most individuals in the United States, on the other hand, get enough iodine through meals like dairy, iodized table salt, and salmon. It’s also worth noting that much iodine can harm your immune health.
Skin and hair get healthier as a result.
Is it possible to use sea moss as an aesthetic enhancer? Maybe, at least in topical form. Sea moss and its metabolites are showing up in an increasing number of skin and hair treatments, bolstered by preliminary research suggesting aesthetic benefits.
Red seaweeds, for example, may have an antibacterial action that decreases acne when applied topically, and chemicals produced from the plants may smooth the skin. However, more study is needed, as the previous data does not apply to sea moss in food or supplement form.
Weight reduction might be aided.
One of the benefits of sea moss is that it might aid in losing weight. Fucoxanthin was found to aid in the breakdown and metabolism of fat in a review of studies. The high fiber content of sea moss also helps you feel fuller for extended periods.
A small study with individuals who took 1,000 mg of reddish seaweed extract daily for 12 weeks was included in another research evaluation.
People who took the extracted substance shed more weight than people who received a placebo. This is encouraging, but there isn’t enough proof to indicate if it will work for most people.
According to Gorin, any claims that sea moss would reduce weight loss are unfounded. While test-tube studies of several seaweed components have found that some may hinder fat cell development and deplete fat deposits of energy, no research has shown that consuming sea moss causes weight reduction in humans.
According to Gorin, sea moss does include fiber, which may make your breakfast oatmeal a little more filling, but no one supplement or food can change the amount on the scale.
Colds are kept at bay.
Could a hot cup of red seaweed tea help you get rid of the sniffles this time of year? Unfortunately, while some people swear by the capacity of seaweed to relieve coughs and congestion, science isn’t quite there yet.
When a tiny trial of 211 cold patients discovered that an exploratory nasal spray containing carrageenan provided faster relief from symptoms than a placebo spray, the idea may have taken hold. (Carrageenan has been shown to attach to the cold virus and inhibit cell growth.) But unfortunately, there is no proof that seaweed consumption orally helps speed up the healing process at this time.
Is sea moss safe to consume?
Hultin warns that more sea moss supplements aren’t for everyone. She warns that taking too much iodine is a severe issue, whether from any other seaweed product. Thyroid dysfunction, such as thyroiditis, thyroid papillary carcinoma, and goiter, can be caused by excessive iodine ingestion in some people.
Department Of health established the highest limit as 1,100 micrograms of iodine each day, with the advice of staying as near to the requirement of 150 micrograms of RDAs per day as possible. The quantity of iodine from sea mosses items varies by brand. However, a dose of it or a single serving can provide your daily need.
Sea moss has several risks associated with it.
Edible seaweed is safe to consume. However, there are certain possible dangers to be aware of.
Heavy metals may be absorbed in significant quantities by seaweed. Therefore, it is possible that eating marine moss that contains hazardous heavy metals can affect your health.
It’s possible that you’re not receiving the same nourishment each time you consume it. The minerals and temperature in the growing location might affect nutrient levels.
It’s critical to have enough iodine for proper thyroid function. However, too much or too little might put you at risk for thyroid problems, including hypothyroidism.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should avoid sea moss. While it may be healthy for you and your fetus, there isn’t enough proof to be specific.
What is sea moss gel?
Sea moss is ideally technically edible in gel form. However, some individuals don’t mind the flavor and prefer to drink it alone. Sea moss has a mild seaweed flavor on its own. When blended into smoothies and juices, it has no flavor and is used as a thickening in soups or desserts.
Are you willing to put it to the test? Moss gel is a simple method to get more seaweed into your diet. This is how you make it.
- Begin with moss that has been dried.
- Soak it for 12 to 48 hours in fresh, clean drinking water.
- Put it in a blender after removing it from the water.
- Blend with a little more fresh water until it creates a smooth consistency.
- Put into a jar, cover it, and put it in the fridge for 60 minutes
- Sea moss gel may be used for smoothies, applesauce, porridge, or anything else sounds nice to you.
Irish Moss
Despite its name, Chondrus crispus is a form of algae, or seaweed, not moss. This red, branched seaweed may be found along the Atlantic Ocean’s coasts in the United Kingdom, North America, and Europe. It is used in various sectors but is one of the most prevalent in the food industry.
Carrageenan, a jelly-like material found in Irish moss, gives it its wide range of applications. For example, carrageenan may be found in dairy products to infant formula since it can be utilized as a vegan alternative for gelatin and a general emulsifier.
Irish sea moss and carrageenan are the subjects of much debate, with research on both sides indicating that carrageenan can have beneficial and health effects.
Potential health benefits.
It can be beneficial to your health. Seaweed, for example, is high in iodine, an essential vitamin for the thyroid. Iodine aids in the production of thyroid hormones that regulate nerves, metabolism, and bone formation. Also, seaweeds support thyroid health blood sugar control generate an immune response for the immune system.
It also provides health advantages such as:
Blood sugar management
Fucoxanthin, a chemical found in Irish moss, may be beneficial. This carotenoid is responsible for the deep red-brown color of Irish moss.
Studies have proven Fucoxanthin to offer considerable advantages in managing blood sugar levels. It appears to aid the body’s response to insulin, implying that it can better maintain blood sugar levels with less effort. Consumption of Irish moss by people with diabetes may reduce blood sugar rises and crashes.
Heart health.
One of the most significant natural sources of omega-3 fats is seaweed. These fats are necessary for heart health. Getting adequate omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to a decreased risk of blood clots, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Even if you don’t like fish, eating seaweed can help to improve your overall health.
Prepare sea moss supplements.
- Grab a handful of seaweed and rinse it thoroughly before inspecting it for sand or other sea debris.
- Soak at room temperature for 4 to 24 hours. Every 4-6 hours, change the water.
- It will change due to a white-translucent tint and have a slick, silky feel. The area will double in size.
- Drain the water and rinse well. Combine the seaweed and spring water in a blender and mix until creamy and smooth.
- Refrigerate after pouring into a mason jar. Thickening might take up to an hour.
What is the significance of sea algae?
Sea algae studies explained that algae are necessary for a healthy marine environment because they gather and utilize sunlight, CO2, and water to make organic chemicals. This cycle contributes to the ocean’s life balance.
