As you work on improving your overall health and well-being, the chances are that you must have come across “sea moss.” Maybe you’ve heard your friends talking about the benefits of sea moss and how it can help to fill your body with vital nutrients you often miss from foods. Perhaps your interest in sea moss is fueled by the fact that it can help you lose weight. Whatever reasons you have to learn more about sea moss, this post will outline its main benefits and why you need to start using it.
What is Sea Moss
Sea moss is a specific type of red algae, also identified as Irish moss or Chondrus crispus. It’s usually harvested for its carrageenan, a vital ingredient that helps to thicken milk products.
The Irish moss is an edible seaweed that grows in the coastal areas of the Atlantic, like North America and Europe. Like any other seaweed, sea moss can be a good source of the many hard-to-get nutrients the body needs.
With its name, you might think that sea moss is green. However, it can be found in many colors, from yellow to green, brown, red, and black. The common type is the red sea moss, which is usually identified as the Irish moss.
Top Benefits of Sea Moss
The benefits of sea moss will help you decide whether it’s worth adding to your everyday diet. The key thing to discern is that while there are many health benefits of taking sea moss, most of these benefits have not been scientifically proven. For that reason, sea moss is not intended to replace any diets you might be following.
Nutritional Information
Based on information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central, 10 grams of sea moss should provide you with the following nutritional benefits:
- Protein – 0.2g
- Calories – 4.9
- Fat – 0g
- Carbs – 1.2 g
- Sugars – 0.1 g
You should get the following vitamins and minerals from 10 g of sea moss:
- Phosphorous – 15.7 milligrams (mg)
- Calcium – 7.2 mg
- Magnesium – 14.4 mg
- Iron – 0.9 mg
- Copper – 0.02 mg
- Zinc – 0.2 mg
- Manganese – 0.04 mg
- Potassium -6.3 mg
- Health Benefits of Sea Moss
It’s Heart Healthy
Sea moss is a superfood. It has plenty of fiber compared to other veggies, which is a good thing. Fiber has many positive effects, including the fact that it helps lower cholesterol and improves blood sugar levels. In turn, these positive effects lower the risk of chronic ailments like heart disease and diabetes.
Promotes Weight Loss
The fiber in seaweed will also help to prevent overeating. Eating foods rich in fiber keeps you satiated for longer. Eventually, this has a positive impact on weight control.
Rich Source of Iodine
The body doesn’t produce iodine, meaning you can only source the nutrient from the foods you eat. Iodine is essential for a healthy thyroid system. You can get iodine by taking dairy products and iodized salt. Seafood is also an option you should consider.
Boost Immunity
Studies reveal that sea moss can be beneficial in improving one’s immunity. However, studies haven’t been done on human beings to confirm this.
Helps in Workout Recovery
Irish moss is rich in taurine, an amino acid that helps promote muscle-building. Amino acids are known to help speed up recovery after working out. Hence, taking sea moss can help with muscle recovery after exercising.
Helps to Fight Against Cancer
There are specific compounds in certain algae which help in fighting particular cancers. One research showed that fucoxanthin found in some algae could help reduce the risk factors of colorectal cancer.
Supports Fertility
Another major benefit of sea moss is that it’s known to support fertility. However, more research is required to ascertain this claim.
Side Effects of Sea Moss
Irish sea moss has many benefits, but you should be aware of the common side effects of taking this seaweed.
For starters, not so much research has been done on seaweed. Hence, you should take it with precaution.
Taking too much sea moss can lead to iodine toxicity and disrupt the effectiveness of specific medications like blood thinners.
Summary
While there are plenty of benefits of sea moss, it’s important to note that most of these health benefits haven’t been proven. Studies are yet to be done to determine whether sea moss can offer the benefits discussed in this post.