What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss, aka Irish moss, is one of several species of red algae found on the Atlantic shorelines of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. Historically, the seaweed has been harvested and dried to create carrageenan, a common thickening ingredient akin to a vegan gelatin. Carrageenan has actually been the center of wellness controversy for years due to its potential links to inflammation and other illnesses that it treats.
What are benefits of Sea Moss?
It’s heart-healthy
Seaweed is a bit of a superfood. It has a higher fiber content than most vegetables — which is a good thing, as fiber has all kinds of positive effects on the body. It can improve blood sugar control, help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.“Studies show that sea moss may help lower bad cholesterol, which is one of the factors for heart disease,” Czerwony says. It has also been shown to help lower blood pressure, another key factor in heart health.
It may promote weight loss
Remember how much fiber seaweed has? High-fiber foods are filling foods, which means they may keep you from overeating. “Fiber keeps us fuller longer, which may help with weight control,” Czerwony says.
Moisturizes your skin
Sea moss is becoming a popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry. The vitamins and minerals give it a natural moisturizing effect. it moisturizes the skin giving it a better skin tone and protects you from the sun. It assists the skin in preventing harmful elements and helping it retain essential lipids and moisture. This seaweed soothes the skin naturally; hence you will have a silkier feel and a young-looking appearance.
It supports gut health
Your digestive system is full of bacteria, some good and some bad. And because gut health is associated with overall health, balancing out those bacteria is an important element of your wellness. Algae, including sea moss, is a good source of fiber and live bacteria. “It can help replenish the good bacteria in our gut,” Czerwony says.
It’s a good source of iodine
Iodine is one of the keys to a healthy thyroid, but because your body doesn’t make iodine on its own, you can only get it through diet. (Most people, however, get enough iodine from dairy products, seafood and iodized salt.)
