Sea Moss Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

Sea moss is a type of algae that has been used as food and medicine for centuries. It’s rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. Sea moss has many benefits, including detoxification properties and protection from high blood pressure and cancerous tumors. However, there are some side effects associated with using this substance, such as low thyroid function due to iodine levels being too high in seawater or skin irritation if it comes into contact too much with your sunless tanner.

You may have lately heard of the sea moss “superfood.” Celebrities claim it as an immune-boosting, skin-healing, and digestive help, yet sea moss, like other purported superfoods, has been used for generations.

Although there is less study on sea moss, it has been said to have brain-protecting, immune-boosting, and digestion-aiding effects. We also know that seaweed is a great source of minerals that are good for your health.

Is sea moss all it’s made up to be? Let’s have a look.

What Exactly Is Sea Moss?

Chondrus crispus is the scientific name for sea moss, popularly known as Irish moss. It is a red seaweed with the scientific name Chondrus crispus. Humans have been eating it for thousands of years, and it’s mostly found on rocks near the North Atlantic Coast.

It’s now grown and processed in several coastal nations, including the United States, China, and Ireland, for its carrageenan content.

Carrageenan is a food ingredient with binding, thickening, and stabilizing properties. It’s in almond milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, creamers, yogurt, canned soups, and frozen pizzas, among other things.

Some traditional medicine treatments include carrageenan as an active component.

Sea moss is highly prized for its algal polysaccharide, which is made from carrageenan and has medicinal and physiological benefits. According to research, algal polysaccharide helps:

• Enhancement of immunity
• Anti-oxidant properties
• Actions that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
• Suppression of tumors
• Prevention of hypertension
• Preventing high cholesterol
• Blood sugar management

Sea moss is high in the following nutrients, in addition to carrageenan and algal polysaccharides:

• Proteins
• Peptides
• A mixture of amino acids
• Lipids
• Pigments

This red algae’s neuroprotective and immune-boosting elements are connected to its possible health advantages.

Benefits

Sea moss may provide some potential health advantages, although investigations on these effects have only been conducted in the laboratory or on animals. Although there is no explicit knowledge of how Irish moss might benefit human health, the seaweed’s nutritional concentration seems encouraging.

1. Helps with Digestion

Irish moss functions as a prebiotic, influencing the microbial makeup of our stomach. It’s also a mucilaginous meal with a sticky feel that aids in the passage of feces through the gastrointestinal system.

Rats given Irish moss had significantly improved gut microbiota composition, according to a research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Based on these results, researchers believe that sea moss may assist enhance gut health and immunological regulation. It boosted the population of good bacteria while lowering the population of dangerous bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.

2. It has the potential to improve neurological health

Because of its potential to reduce oxidative stress, studies show that red seaweed may have neuroprotective properties. As a result, scientists believe C. Crispus might be a viable element in pharmaceutical applications for new anti-neurodegenerative medications for humans.

3. Strengthens the immune system

According to research published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, red seaweed boosts host immunity while suppressing the development of “virulence factors,” or chemicals generated by bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Although this study was done in a lab, the researchers concluded that the findings imply that C. Crispus components may have health-promoting properties in both animals and humans.

4. Enhances satiation

Irish moss has a thick and sticky gel-like texture when mixed with liquids. It’s a soluble fiber that helps you feel fuller for longer.

Adding Irish moss to your meals may promote fullness and, as a result, help you eat fewer calories. Although there is no scientific data to back this up, the theory is that sea moss acts similarly to chia seeds and aloe.

5. It may have anti-tumor properties

According to certain laboratory research, Irish moss possesses anti-tumor properties owing to its algal polysaccharide concentration. Researchers don’t have solid answers for why this happens in lab tests, but they believe it’s because of polysaccharides’ capacity to boost immunity and increase anti-oxidant function.

6. Iodine-dense

Iodine levels in C. Crispus are high and bioavailable, according to a research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Low and high iodine consumption levels may both raise the risk of illness, so getting the proper amount is crucial.

Thyroid function, a healthy metabolism, and brain health are all aided by iodine-rich diets. To generate thyroxine, a vital hormone that regulates critical, daily biological events, your thyroid, for example, requires a sufficient amount of iodine.

Low-iodine thyroid diseases may cause symptoms such as a slow appetite, heart problems, mood swings, weight fluctuations, and appetite changes.

7. It has the potential to improve skin health

Sea moss is utilized in skincare products because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and magnesium, among other minerals.

Topically applying sea moss to your skin may help moisturize and soothe it while also battling damage and infections. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence to support the advantages of Irish moss for the skin, its vitamin and mineral content alone suggests that it may help with healthy aging.

How to Make Use of

Sea moss is available in raw, dried, or gel form. It’s also available as a powder or pill, and some skincare products use it as a component.

If you can’t locate sea moss in your local food shop, ordering it from a trustworthy supplier online is another alternative.

Because Irish moss has a neutral taste, it may be readily used in smoothie, drink, and soup dishes. Remember that it thickens everything, so it’s great in sauces and even baked products.

You may take sea moss tablets or powder to complement your diet, much like algae. However, keep in mind that the knowledge of people is limited, so see your doctor first. If you have hypothyroidism, this is particularly true.

Side Effects and Risks

Sea moss is typically harmless and may have health advantages when ingested in moderate doses. Consuming too much Irish moss, on the other hand, may indicate that you’re getting too much iodine.

Thyroid issues may be caused by too much iodine, so be cautious not to consume too much of it. Consult your doctor about restricting iodine foods if you have Hashimoto’s, thyroiditis, or other hypothyroidism-related concerns.

Conclusion

• Sea moss, often known as Irish moss, is a red seaweed gathered from rocks along the North Atlantic coast.
• Sea moss has been utilized to increase immune function and help digestion for thousands of years. It’s now grown in various nations for its possible health advantages.
• Although there aren’t many human research on Irish moss, lab and animal studies show that it may assist improve brain function, digestion, thyroid health, and immunological function.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you take sea moss?

A: You need to take sea moss in marine water.

What does sea moss do to the body?

A: Sea moss is a form of green algae that grows on seagrass beds. Many different animals, including humans, can consume it, but it has been shown to have harmful effects in certain situations.

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