What Is Sea Moss? 🌊
Sea moss, a type of red algae (Rhodophyta), is often processed into powders, gels, or jellies. It's commonly known for its use in carrageenan, a polysaccharide that acts as a thickener in various food products. While sea moss boasts a reputation for numerous health benefits, it's crucial to recognise the potential risks, particularly concerning its iodine content and contaminants.
Potential Health Benefits of Sea Moss
Although scientific studies on humans are limited, lab and animal research suggests sea moss may offer various health benefits, such as:
Brain Function: It may help enhance brain activity. 🧠
Digestive Health: Its high fibre content could support digestion. 🌿
Thyroid Support: Sea moss is rich in iodine, essential for thyroid health. ⚡
Immune Function: Some claim it can boost the immune system, though further research is needed. 💪
Many enthusiasts praise sea moss for promoting heart health, improving blood sugar regulation, and enhancing immunity, but the scientific evidence behind these claims remains sparse. Its growing popularity is partly due to celebrity endorsements, yet caution is warranted until more rigorous studies are conducted.
The Risks of Sea Moss
While sea moss is nutrient-dense, it carries some risks, primarily due to its high iodine content.
Excess iodine can disrupt thyroid function, leading to symptoms like anxiety, weight loss, and fatigue. Those with thyroid concerns should be cautious, as some may experience worsened symptoms from sea moss supplementation. Always consult a healthcare professional if you have thyroid issues before adding sea moss to your diet.
Contamination Concerns: Heavy Metals and More
Another significant issue is sea moss's ability to absorb heavy metals from the ocean. Depending on where it's cultivated, sea moss can accumulate harmful contaminants like lead and mercury. To mitigate these risks, it’s vital to purchase high-quality, responsibly sourced sea moss. Look for sea moss grown in unpolluted waters, and prefer whole food forms for better nutrient absorption compared to processed extracts.
Is Sea Moss Worth the Hype?
Marine seaweeds, including sea moss, contain bioactive compounds that may offer health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. However, these benefits remain largely theoretical, are based on early research and pushed continuously by the media.
While sea moss can complement a healthy diet, it’s essential to weigh its pros and cons. For many, grass-fed beef or other nutrient-dense whole foods provide more bioavailable vitamins and minerals without the risk of gut irritation or contamination that sea moss may pose.
Conclusion:
Use With Caution
Sea moss may hold potential benefits, but it also presents risks.
It's essential to consider your health before incorporating it into your diet.
Interestingly, many nutrients people seek in sea moss—like essential vitamins and minerals—are often found in greater amounts and more bioavailable forms in grass-fed red meat. Grass-fed beef offers a well-researched, nutrient-dense option that’s ‘safer’ at this scientific moment in time, providing the nutrients you're likely looking for in sea moss. Rather than viewing sea moss as a substitute, it should be considered an occasional supplement to a balanced diet, with grass-fed beef being a more reliable source of nutrients.
While sea moss can be beneficial, it’s not a miracle cure. Like all supplements, it should be used thoughtfully and safely.
Check out my article on grass-fed red meat! 🥩
Studies used:
PMID: 27718308
PMID: 28778519
PMCID: PMC8090171
Asprey, D. (2021) What you need to know about algae, bacteria, and your health, Dave Asprey Box. Available at: https://daveaspreybox.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-algae-bacteria-and-your-health/.
Lomartire, S., Marques, J.C. and Gonçalves, A.M.M. (2021) An overview to the health benefits of seaweeds consumption, Marine drugs. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8232781/.
Olson, S. (2024) Is there evidence behind Eating Sea moss?, Rupa Health. Available at: https://www.rupahealth.com/post/is-there-evidence-behind-eating-sea-moss.
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