Once upon a time, a well-known cartoon crab sang a song entitled "The seaweed is always greener in someone else's lake." But you don't need to be a musically talented crab to enjoy the advantages of sea moss, which provides a wide variety of possible health benefits. Sea moss has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
The red algae that makes up sea moss is often referred to as Irish moss (or Chondrus crispus, if you want to get formal about it). It is collected for its carrageenan, which is a component used to thicken milk products like ice cream. However, you can also purchase it in its raw form or as a supplement in the form of tablets, powders, gels, or candies.
Beth Czerwony, RD, a registered dietitian, weighs in on the advantages and negative effects of sea moss so that you may decide for yourself whether or not this prickly sea vegetable deserves a place in your diet.
The many health advantages of sea moss
First things first: "There appear to be quite a few health advantages of sea moss," says Czerwony, "but they aren't widely investigated," and "sea moss supplements are not authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Sea moss is a kind of algae that is found in the ocean.
There is a wealth of study data on the health advantages of seaweed, sea moss's close relative; yet, there is a paucity of such evidence on sea moss itself. Despite this, it is regarded to be safe for intake in most cases, and the advantages are comparable to those of other types of seaweed.
It's good for your heart
One may consider seaweed to be a superfood. It has a greater fiber content than the majority of vegetables, which is a good thing seeing as how fiber is known to provide a variety of health benefits for the body. It may help you better regulate your blood sugar, assist you in lowering your cholesterol, and lessen the likelihood that you will develop chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
According to Czerwony, "Studies suggest that sea moss may help decrease bad cholesterol, which is one of the causes that might lead to heart disease." Sea moss also helps lower total cholesterol. It has also been shown that it may assist in lowering blood pressure, which is another important element in heart health.
It has the potential to encourage weight reduction.
Can you recall how much fiber seaweed contains? Foods that are high in fiber have a longer feeling of fullness, which means they may prevent you from eating too much. According to Czerwony, "Fiber keeps us fuller for longer," which may assist with the management of weight.
It is an excellent supply of iodine.
Iodine is an essential component for a healthy thyroid, but because your body cannot produce iodine on its own, the only way to get it is via the food that you eat. (However, the majority of individuals receive adequate iodine via dairy products, shellfish, and salt that has been iodized.)
It promotes healthy digestive function.
Your digestive system is filled with microorganisms, some of which are beneficial and others of which are harmful. And since the health of the digestive tract is linked to that of the body as a whole, maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your body is an essential component of your wellbeing. Sea moss and other types of algae, such as algae, are exceptional sources of both fiber and living microorganisms. According to Czerwony, "It may help replace the healthy bacteria that are already in our gut."
It has the potential to improve your immunity.
According to the findings of one research, Atlantic salmon that consumed sea moss had a stronger immunological response than fish who did not consume sea moss. Fish and people obviously have quite different physiologists, and there have been no studies done on humans that are comparable to this one that have shown the same impact.
Having said that, research has shown that a healthy stomach is linked to a healthy immune system. In addition, sea moss is rich in both iron and antioxidants, two components that are important to maintaining a healthy immune system.
It may also assist in the recuperation process after a workout.
The amino acid taurine, which aids in the development of muscle, may be found in high concentrations in sea moss. Czerwony adds that when we exercise, we cause tiny rips, or micro-tears, in our muscles; nevertheless, amino acids may assist in the recovery process.
Additionally, sea moss offers around 6 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it an excellent addition to a fitness routine. However, you shouldn't rely uniquely on sea moss for your post-workout recuperation! You still need to make sure that you are receiving sufficient amounts of rest, water, and other things like that.
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