Description
One type of red seaweed that is frequently seen in the northern Atlantic is sea moss. The tufts of sea moss have delicate, fan-shaped fronds. It is claimed to have numerous health benefits, the majority of which have not been properly investigated. It comes in a variety of colors, ranging from greenish-yellow to dark purple.
Distribution
Sea moss grows in the warmer waters of Asia, South America, Africa, and certain Caribbean regions, as well as along the Atlantic coasts, which are mostly between North America and Europe.
Uses
These days, the primary usage of sea moss is as a source of vitamins and minerals to improve general health. It is most frequently found as a supplement. It can be purchased in raw form from some supplement firms, as a powder or gel, or as gummies or oral capsules.
Sea moss is also offered by companies as supplements that also contain bladderwrack, burdock root, and turmeric. The combination is said to improve thyroid, digestive, immune system, and joint health.
The usage of sea moss as a food thickening agent dates back many years. Carrageenan, a thickening agent used in foods like ice cream, cottage cheese, non-dairy milks, and even baby formula, can only be found naturally in this source.
Side Effects
Although ingesting sea moss may have advantages, you should be aware of any possible negative effects before doing so, including:
Iodine Overload
Although beneficial, sea moss’s high iodine level can have unintended consequences. Thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, can result from consuming too much iodine. Make careful to see your physician before taking sea moss if you currently have a thyroid issue.
Allergic Reactions
Similar to other dietary supplements, sea moss might cause allergies. When ingesting sea moss, some people may get skin rashes, respiratory problems, or other allergic responses.
Intestinal Issues
Consuming significant amounts of sea moss might cause diarrhea, vomiting, or upset stomach. Similar to seaweed, high concentrations of heavy metals in sea moss can be harmful if ingested in significant amounts.
Benefits
The following are some major advantages of using sea moss:
- May promote thyroid wellness. Iodine, a vitamin essential for normal thyroid function, is abundant in seaweeds.
- Might strengthen immunity. To find out if it also boosts human immunity, scientists must conduct additional research.
- Might enhance intestinal health. Seaweeds provide a healthy gut microbiome by providing fiber and living bacteria (Trusted Source).
- Could encourage weight loss. The high fiber content of seaweeds and microalgae can aid in feeling full and preventing overeating. Research has demonstrated that rats’ fat metabolism was enhanced by a seaweed component called fucoxanthin.
- Might enhance cardiac health. According to some research, seaweed lowers blood clotting and LDL (bad) cholesterol, which may help lower the risk of heart disease.
- Might enhance blood sugar regulation. Seaweed’s fucoxanthin component lowered elevated blood sugar levels. Pigs’ blood sugar increases were avoided by an alginate component found in seaweed.
- Advantages for fertility that have been reported. There’s no scientific proof that sea moss directly increases a woman’s or man’s ability to conceive. On the other hand, some utilize it as a conventional reproductive treatment.
Nutrition
Similar to sea moss, red seaweeds are rich in several vitamins and minerals. They provide a little quantity of plant protein and are naturally low in calories, fat, and sugar.
The following benefits are provided by a 4-tablespoon (20-gram) serving of raw Irish sea moss:
Ten calories
0.5 gram of protein
Zero gram of total fat
Three gram of carbohydrates overall
0.5 gram of fiber
0 gram of sugar overall
1% of the Daily Value (DV) is calcium.
10% of the DV is iron.
Magnesium: 7 percent of DV
Fatty Acids: 2% of the DV
Zinc: 4% of the Daily Value
Copper: 3 percent of DV
Marine moss has a natural high concentration of iodine, a vitamin essential for thyroid function, just like other marine vegetables.
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