Sea moss, or Chondrus crispus as it is formally known, is a species of algae or seaweed, and it thrives in the seas along the Atlantic’s rocky coastlines. It is one of several kinds of red algae found along with North America’s, Europe’s, and the Caribbean Islands’ Atlantic coasts.
The sea moss contains 92 of the 102 minerals in the human body, making it a valuable source of nutrition. Sea moss includes 92 of the 102 minerals found in the human body. The most frequently encountered variation in commercial items is red, often referred to as Irish moss.
Raw and supplement forms are available, and the product’s carrageenan is used to thicken dairy goods like ice cream. It is high in protein and fiber and selenium, iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. Carrageenan, a vegan gelatin-like thickening agent, has been made from seaweed by drying and dehydrating it.
It can help reduce inflammation, aid in weight loss, increase thyroid function, smooth out skin wrinkles, and promote digestion, among other benefits. As a result, the entire plant has gained popularity in recent months, and you can now purchase dried sea moss intact or ground up in capsule form.
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Sea Moss Nutritional Facts
Vitamins and minerals are found in sea moss, which is why it is good for you. They include a modest amount of plant protein and are naturally low in calories, fat, and sugar. As a result, it is an excellent source of protein, beta-carotene, B vitamins, pectin, taurine (an amino acid frequently deficient in vegan or vegetarian diets), and vitamin C.
Benefits of Sea Moss for Your Health
1. Energize your body and mind
Sea Moss‘ anti-inflammatory effects aid in your body’s recovery following strenuous exercise. Additionally, it alleviates discomfort in your joints and muscles and lubricates your joints. It may assist the body in recovering from workouts or in relieving weariness. This could be because the plant contains a high concentration of amino acids and proteins.
2. Thyroid disease treatment:
Sea moss or Irish moss is a good source of iodine, which is necessary for thyroid hormone production. Thus, ingestion of sea moss may help avoid some thyroid disorders caused by the thyroid gland’s inability to produce thyroid hormone. Both iodine and selenium found in seaweed help your body’s metabolism speed up, making you more energetic. Seaweed has a lot of iodine, which is essential for healthy thyroid function. Each ounce of seaweed has about 47 mcg of iodine, which is about a third of what you need each day.
3. Relief Cold and flu
Sea moss is high in potassium chloride, which is necessary for eliminating phlegm, congestion in the respiratory tract, and catarrh, an inflammation of the nasal and throat mucous membranes. In addition, sea moss includes GLA, carotenoids, and plant sterols that protect the liver and heart against illness. Unfortunately, while some devotees swear by sea moss’ capacity to relieve a cough and alleviate congestion, science has yet to catch up.
4. Enhance Mental Health
Consuming sea moss may aid in the relief of mild mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, agitation, and mood swings. This is because sea Moss contains a high concentration of potassium, which aids in the smooth functioning of your body cells. Since your body cannot store potassium, including it in your diet daily will benefit your mental processes and behavior.
5. Optimize Skin Health:
Collagen is abundant in seaweed, which helps maintain our skin tight and supple. Sea moss can be a natural superfood for our youthful skin when combined with vitamin E. Furthermore, applying sea moss to our skin can help us avoid skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, and rashes. When applied topically to the skin, sea moss can help hydrate and soothe it while fighting damage and infections. Although no scientific proof exists to support Irish moss’s benefits for the skin, its vitamin and mineral composition suggests it can help healthy aging.
Anecdotally, some people believe that ingesting sea moss regular improves the appearance and feel of their skin and hair.
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6. It helps keep your heart healthy
Seaweed has been demonstrated to aid in the reduction of bad cholesterol, one of the risk factors for heart disease. In addition, seaweed is an excellent source of folate, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids. With a steady supply of these, you may see benefits such as increased blood flow and circulation.
7. Encourage weight loss
Seaweed can make you feel fuller for more extended periods and keep you fuller for longer periods, which may aid weight control. Its’ mild laxative effect also aids in the rapid passage of waste through the body, which may benefit weight management. In 12-week research, participants who consumed 1,000 milligrams of red seaweed extract daily experienced a significant decrease in total body fat mass and body weight.
However, there has been no evidence of a weight-loss impact in humans who consume sea moss. Sea moss does include fiber, which may add a bit of satisfaction to your morning porridge, but keep in mind that no one food or supplement can tip the scales. The most effective way to lose weight is to eat a whole food plant-based diet and increase your physical activity.
8. Keep Iron Levels at a Normal Level
Iodine is critical for thyroid health, but you must obtain it through diet because your body does not produce it. Both inadequate and excessive iodine intake can raise disease risk; thus, it is critical to ingest the recommended quantity.
9. Facilitates digestion
Algae, mainly sea moss, are an excellent source of fiber and living microorganisms. Sea moss contains an astounding amount of fiber, which serves as a mild laxative and soothes inflammatory tissues throughout the gastrointestinal tract, encouraging healthy digestion. In addition, its viscous consistency aids in the relief of intestinal conditions such as heartburn, nausea, indigestion, ulcers, gastritis, and dyspepsia.
Scientists have found that the plant fibers in sea moss can be used as prebiotics in humans, which means they can feed the good bacteria in the stomach. For example, rats fed a diet containing sea moss demonstrated an increase in healthy gut flora and a decrease in potentially dangerous bacteria in one research. Further Researchers would need to conduct more research to see whether individuals experience similar impacts.
10. Strengthens the Immune System
Sea moss, or Chondrus Crispus, is a species of seaweed that has been shown to help the body’s immune system and may even help protect against salmonella infection. Seamless probiotic characteristics benefit intestinal health, which supports a healthy immune system. If you are battling an ailment, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities aid in recovery. Seamless is anti-infective and has immune-boosting qualities.
11. Helps build muscle.
Sea moss contains collagen proteins that help to strengthen and heal connective tissue. Its’ anti-inflammatory effects aid in the body’s recovery following exercise. Remember that you cannot rely exclusively on sea moss for exercise recovery; you must also ensure that you get enough excellent diet, drink, and rest.
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Sea Moss Preparation and Uses
- The gel can be stored in the refrigerator for ten days and used as a thickening factor in smoothies or other recipes.
- To cook with sea moss, you must first wash it and then soak it in cold water for an entire day, often changing the water.
- It has been used to thicken food for a long time, still used today.
- It is the sole naturally occurring source of carrageenan, a thickening used in foods such as ice cream, cottage cheese, non-dairy milk, and even infant formula.
- Since Irish moss is nearly flavorless, you can incorporate it into your diet. In addition, certain companies may use the thickening qualities of it to manufacture vitamin gummies or gels.
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Side Effects
Sea moss is believed to be relatively safe and has few adverse effects. Excessive topical application of raw sea moss has been shown to cause skin irritation in some circumstances. Additionally, you should limit your intake to 12 grams of seaweed each day for two months. It is well established that seaweed absorbs heavy metals from the water it develops. It is typically harmless and may offer health advantages when ingested in moderation.
However, excessive use of Irish moss may indicate that you consume excessive iodine. Too much iodine can result in thyroid issues; therefore, you must be cautious not to consume an excessive amount of the nutrient. Iodine toxicity or thyroid issues can occur due to excessive iodine ingestion.
Conclusion
Chondrus crispus, also known as sea moss, is a spiny sea vegetable related to seaweeds and sea algae. Carrageenan is extracted from it, and it is also used as a natural thickening agent in commercial foods and supplements. However, more study on its health effects of it in humans is needed to determine its efficacy in products.
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Where to Buy Sea Moss?
You can find it at grocery stores, health food stores, and online. However, if you cannot locate it, I propose purchasing it from our store Healthy Herbs and Spices.
DISCLAIMER OF MEDICINE
This information is not meant to provide medical advice or replace a personal physician’s advice or treatment. All readers of this information, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should check with their doctors before initiating any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. In addition, the statements and goods on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
