Sea moss, or Irish moss, is a blazon of bounding main algae that people tin can add together to food or take as a nutritional supplement. Ocean moss is naturally rich in minerals and vitamins, and may have some potential wellness benefits with regular use.

In this commodity, we will discuss the nutritional data of bounding main moss, how to prepare it, and any potential benefits and side effects.

Ground covered in beige-colored sea moss. Share on Pinterest
Egmont Strigl/Getty Images Caption: Tundra flooring covered with Irish gaelic Moss (Chondrus crispus)

Body of water moss typically refers to a specific blazon of algae or seaweed chosen Chondrus crispus, also known equally Irish moss. Information technology is a spiny, edible establish, and has some similarities to other edible seaweeds such every bit kombu, dulse, or wakame.

Sea moss grows naturally in waters and tide pools forth rocky coasts, such as coasts of the northern Atlantic Bounding main. Common ocean moss is a cherry-red seaweed, though information technology can grow in different colors as well, depending on factors such every bit the local climate and h2o temperatures.

According to the U.South. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Key , two tablespoons (tbsp) or a x gram (chiliad) serving of body of water moss contains approximately:

  • calories: 4.9
  • protein: 0.2 grand
  • fat: 0 one thousand
  • carbohydrates: 1.2 thou
  • sugars: 0.1 g

The aforementioned serving of body of water moss also contains these vitamins and minerals:

  • calcium: seven.2 milligrams (mg)
  • magnesium: fourteen.4 mg
  • phosphorous: fifteen.7 mg
  • potassium: 6.three mg
  • iron: 0.9 mg
  • zinc: 0.ii mg
  • copper: 0.02 mg
  • manganese: 0.04 mg

Carmine seaweeds likewise have antioxidant backdrop , which may help forbid oxidative harm in the cells.

Like to other bounding main vegetables, ocean moss is a natural source of the mineral iodine. Research posted to the Journal of Medicinal Nutrient notes that body of water moss contains most 47 mg of iodine per gram.

Bounding main moss has a history of apply in cultures shut to where the moss naturally grows. Sea moss is a natural source of a thickener called carrageenan. This can brand it a expert addition to soups, stews, or other foods that demand thickening.

Some companies still harvest and sell the dried body of water moss itself, only it is more mutual to find sea moss in the form of a dietary supplement.

Supplements may contain ocean moss on its own, or with a combination of other ingredients. The bounding main moss is normally in powdered or gel form.

Some companies may take advantage of the thickening backdrop of bounding main moss to create products such equally vitamin gummies or gels.

Sea moss may have the same benefits every bit other types of sea algae, as they share like compounds.

However, the electric current research into ocean moss has limitations, and scientists still need farther testify to dorsum any health claims. Those include:

Supporting weight loss

Seaweeds may help support weight loss. In a 12-week written report of 78 adults, those who took one,000 milligrams of red seaweed extract per twenty-four hour period had a significant reduction in total trunk fat mass and body weight than the placebo group.

Research posted to Marine Drugs likewise notes that a chemical compound in many seaweeds called fucoxanthin shows promise in helping to break downwardly and metabolize fat.

Weight loss effects may vary with each type of seaweed, and much of the research focuses on isolated compounds, rather than the effects of ocean moss generally.

Supporting thyroid health

Diets rich in iodine may support thyroid health. The thyroid needs this mineral to create and use important hormones in the body. Without enough iodine, the thyroid may not part properly and could cause metabolic issues.

As a natural source of iodine, types of ocean algae such as sea moss may help prevent iodine deficiency.

Supporting gut health

Sea moss may have prebiotic effects which could play a role in improving the health of the gut microbiome.

Research posted to BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies notes that sea moss is rich in dietary fiber and oligosaccharides such every bit carrageenan. The ocean moss seemed to back up gut health by feeding the healthy leaner in the intestines.

This was an animal study, though. Researchers would need to practise farther human studies to support these findings.

Supporting immune health

The gut relates to the allowed organisation. A nutrition rich in prebiotic, fiber-rich foods such as body of water moss may help promote a healthy immune system.

Research posted to BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies plant higher levels of immune antibodies in rats who had eaten ocean moss. Further research in humans could help support these findings.

Helping in the fight confronting cancer

Compounds in some algae may assistance fight against specific cancers. Research posted to Cancers notes that fucoxanthin, found abundantly in some algae, may aid fight against specific markers of colorectal cancer or reduce gamble factors.

With this said, the research focused heavily on high concentrations and extracts of fucoxanthin. More than research into sea moss itself could prove if the same benefits utilise.

Having neuroprotective effects

Antioxidant backdrop in algae may help protect against neurodegenerative illness. Research posted to Marine Drugs found that an extract from sea moss protected against markers of Parkinson's disease.

Researchers carried out the study on roundworms. Further research in humans would assistance explore the potential neuroprotective effects of sea moss on humans.

Supporting muscle and energy recovery

Sea moss may play a role in helping the torso recover from workouts or aid salvage fatigue.

A study in the Asian Journal of Medical Sciences involved fourscore adults over the age of forty with musculoskeletal symptoms. The research institute that people given certain types of sea moss had reduced fatigue, burnout, and hurting levels. This may be due to the high levels of amino acids and total proteins present in the plant.

Supporting fertility

There is not much formal research to support the claim that sea moss volition promote fertility. Bounding main moss may make up part of fertility treatment in traditional medicinal systems, and anecdotally some people claim the algae helps their fertility. More than formal research is needed to evaluate this claim.

Supporting good for you pilus and peel

Some anecdotally merits that taking body of water moss regularly improves the look and feel of their skin and hair. Researchers need more show to back up this claim.

There are some possible downsides or side effects from eating sea moss.

Even in supplement form, the nutritional content, and therefore potential benefits, from bounding main moss can vary. Factors such as growing region, temperature, and minerals in the water may affect the food levels in sea moss.

Varying levels of iodine in sea moss may also put a person at hazard for iodine deficiency if bounding main moss is the person's simply source of iodine.

Some people who eat big quantities of sea moss or other seaweeds that are very rich in iodine may get too much iodine in their diet. Overconsumption of iodine may put a person at risk for iodine poisoning or thyroid problems.

Contagion may be another potential risk for seaweeds such as iodine. Seaweed and algae may accumulate minerals and metals from the environs. If there are heavy metals in the surface area, they may be in the algae likewise.

Sea moss lends itself well to a number of recipes and ways of training.

Body of water moss in a raw, dried form tin can assistance thicken soups and stews.

Making a body of water moss gel is a useful style to add sea moss to the diet. Using stale sea moss, soak the sea moss in h2o overnight. Rinse the sea moss off, and add together it to a blender with clean water. Blend the mixture until smooth, and store it in a covered container. Put the covered mixture in the refrigerator to gel overnight.

This gelled mixture makes a elementary addition to foods that need thickening, or people can eat it as a supplement. The shelf life will vary based on factors such as storing temperature and cleanliness of the preparation tools.

People can besides add powdered sea moss to juices and smoothies and sprinkle it over yogurt or cereal. Adding powdered sea moss to soups or stews may have a like thickening upshot every bit using it in gel course.

Ocean moss is a spiny bounding main vegetable similar to other forms of seaweed. It may have similar health benefits to other types of seaweed. Traditionally harvested for its carrageenan, it also contains varying levels of salubrious minerals and antioxidants.

Further research on sea moss, especially in humans, will help evaluate current health claims about the product.

People can hands add stale, powdered, or gelled sea moss into their diet, or take as a supplement. If people take an existing thyroid problem, they should cheque with their healthcare provider before taking information technology due to the iodine content in sea moss.