Sea Moss Benefits and Side Effects
Today, the hectic lifestyle of people have made them prone to many ailments of the digestive system as well as a myriad of skin issues. They are always on the lookout for some kind of a wonder drug to help them battle all their health woes so that they can live a happy, satisfied, and longer life. Enter superfoods. Scientifically speaking, a superfood is a nutrient-rich food item that is guaranteed to provide you with a much stronger dose of a majority of antioxidants. By consuming superfoods like chia seeds, goji berries, dark leafy greens, among many others, you are bound to experience substantial health benefits in a short amount of time.
An interesting fact about superfoods is that they are abundant in nature around us. People just need to open their eyes and discover them as a boon for their health. One such miraculous superfood is sea moss. Sea moss benefits for your health are beyond your imagination. Hence, it is necessary to become aware of it and utilize its benefits to live a healthier life.
What Is Irish Sea Moss?
Raw Irish sea moss, Credit: Pixabay
Quite surprisingly, this superfood is not the new kid on the block. It has been around for many centuries and has been extensively used as a major ingredient in various body lotions, face creams, masks, powders, and pills.
You might have heard about sea vegetables like spirulina, nori, and kelp that boast of many health benefits. Well, sea moss or irish sea moss comes into their family. It is a type of red algae that, according to registered dieticians, is packed with loads of nutrients. These nutrients are especially useful for imparting you a youthful glow and combating all your skin health issues.
Irish sea moss benefits have been enjoyed by Asian, Caribbean, and Irish cultures since ancient times. However, it has risen in popularity ever since it’s active adoption in the American diet. People there are utilising this superfood to achieve all their health and wellness goals, and hence, you can now see the famous photo and image sharing platform Instagram filled with people lauding benefits of sea moss.
Where is Sea Moss Found?
Irish sea moss, Credit: Pixabay
Also known by the name Carrageen, sea moss is a variety of algae that grows on the rocky areas of the Atlantic coast, especially in the British Isles. It is also found around Europe and some parts of North America. Sea Moss is often compared with spirulina, which is another superfood belonging to the same family. Both these superfoods come with their benefits and harbour distinct nutrient profiles.
One of the primary features that distinguish sea moss from spirulina is the folate content of both these foods. Folate is a nutrient that is crucial for tissue growth and for the formation of red blood cells which helps fight health conditions like anaemia that are extremely common in many countries. Surprisingly, sea moss contains a whopping amount of folate, that is almost double to the amount present in spirulina. Apart from folate, sea moss is also a rich source of iodine. It is a very crucial mineral that aids in the production of the thyroid hormones.
How Is Irish Sea Moss Consumed?
Woman tasting smoothie, Credit: Pixabay
You might think that you can take some sea moss in your hand and pop it in your mouth. Well, this is not the case. There is a way to consume this superfood. It is eaten in its gel form. This gel form is created by boiling the dried forms of sea moss in water. It is consumed in other ways by different cultures. Some people ingest it as sea moss drink after boiling it with water and mixing it with milk and sugar.
In recent years, sea moss has become available in a powdered form that people are using in their smoothies everyday. In fact, it has gained further momentum as the popular celebrity Kim Kardashian posted a picture of her breakfast which consisted of a sea moss smoothie. It ain’t difficult to determine the secret behind her ageless, glowing skin now, isn’t it?
Sea Moss Benefits and Side Effects
Irish sea moss, Credit: Pixabay
Did you know that almost about a century ago, sea moss was used as a potent medicine for the treatment of life threatening ailments like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Not many people are aware of the fact that this superfood initially had the title of ‘poverty food’. It was because, being an inexpensive source of nutrients, it was used by the families of poor farmers who worked in potato fields.
Today, sea moss is available at all the health stores and can also be easily purchased online. Let us find out sea moss benefits in greater detail.
A rich source of iron to boost your energy
A nature’s multi-vitamin for a healthy functioning body
An effective weight loss weapon
A boon for your immunity system
1. A Rich Source of Iron to Boost Your Energy
Iron-rich food sources, Credit: Pixabay
Sea moss contains plenty of iron (9 mg per 100 grams) and is a wonderful choice for vegetarians or vegans looking to increase their iron intake through natural food sources. Did you know that it has more than double the amount of iron present in chicken? When you eat a diet that lacks iron, your body is unable to generate red blood cells that are essential for the movement of oxygen from lungs to the cells. You will instantly notice a rise in your energy levels once you start consuming sea moss as part of your diet regularly.
2. A Nature’s Multi-Vitamin for a Healthy Functioning Body
Variety of food items, Credit: Pixabay
Yellow seaweed is a powerhouse of minerals like magnesium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. It also contains vitamins like beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B. All these vitamins and minerals are vital to healthy functioning of all the cells in your body. You do not need to consume a multivitamin supplement when you have sea moss at your home.
3. An Effective Weight Loss Weapon
A healthy woman, Credit: Pixabay
As mentioned before, sea moss has high levels of iodine in it. This mineral is found in very few food items. But our body needs it to produce thyroid hormones. If your body is not able to generate enough thyroid hormones then its metabolism suffers a lot. It becomes sluggish and as a result people are not able to lose weight. By consuming sea moss, you will get optimal quantities of iodine and benefit from a high metabolism needed to shed extra pounds.
4. A Boon for Your Immunity System
Woman with strong immunity, Credit: Pixabay
The irish sea moss benefits extends to promoting a healthier and stronger immune system. The potassium chloride in this algae helps in reducing inflammation and thus significantly minimizes your risks of contracting diseases and infections. Your immunity will be optimized and you will find that you are not getting ill on a frequent basis. Not only this, a regular consumption of this superfood will ensure that you are recovering from illnesses faster than before.
Are There Any Side Effects of Consuming Sea Moss?
A pregnant woman, Credit: Pixabay
After reading about sea moss benefits, it might be challenging to comprehend that there can also be some unwanted side effects of this superfood. But as with everything, moderation is the key. You should not go overboard with this superfood and consume it only on alternate days.
A fact worth mentioning is that while iodine is a vital mineral, its excessive quantities will only do more harm than good. Sea moss contains high levels of iodine, and so is not recommended to be consumed everyday. Also, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consume sea moss only after consulting their doctor. It is not fully proven how sea vegetables interact with their bodies so it is necessary to take precautions.
After learning about sea moss benefits, it might be a nice idea to make it a part of your diet and consume it in moderate amounts on a regular basis. However, if you find yourself experiencing symptoms like nausea and itchy throat, it is best to discontinue its usage or seek your doctor’s help.
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