Sea moss is a type of seaweed that has been gaining popularity lately due to its long list of health benefits. It is known to increase thyroid function, immunity, gut health, weight reduction, heart health, digestive system health, and skin beauty. Sea moss has a neutral flavor that mixes easily with a variety of other foods and can be part of fertility treatment in traditional medicinal systems. It is also gaining popularity as an ingredient in natural skin care products.
During the potato famine in Ireland, Irish sea moss was used to help combat severe nutritional deficiencies throughout the affected area. Research published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found higher levels of immune antibodies in rats that had eaten sea moss. Some anecdotally claim that taking sea moss regularly improves the appearance of your skin and hair. Sea moss contains prebiotic mucilage, a type of fiber that provides food with beneficial gut microbes, which in turn can promote gut health.
Eating sea moss increases the intake of iodine, a micronutrient that the body needs to produce thyroid hormones and control metabolism. As with seaweed, the nutritional value of sea moss can vary greatly, making it difficult to know exactly what it contains and in what quantities. But whether you're just taking sea moss supplements or consuming other types, it's worth remembering that you can't supplement it with a poor diet. Some people who eat large amounts of sea moss or other algae that are very rich in iodine may consume too much iodine in their diet. In general, scientists need to do more research on the effects of sea moss on human health to determine its effectiveness in consumer health products.
However, it is clear that sea moss has many potential benefits for overall health and wellbeing. It is worth noting that more research is needed to determine its impact.
