Already considered a superfood, Sea Moss is packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. The benefits gained from adding a supplement to the diet are many and varied, ranging from digestive health to better skin. Let’s take a closer look at this gift from the ocean! What is Sea Moss? Sea Moss is a spiky marine plant that looks like seaweed or algae. Scientifically called Chondrus crispus, it grows mainly between North America and Europe in the waters along the rocky Atlantic shores (1). It's an edible sea plant that looks like kelp or dulse and is related to other seaweeds, algae, and other leafy sea veggies. You can find Sea Moss comes in a variety of colors, including greens, yellows, purples, reds, browns, and blacks. The most frequent types that grow in warmer waters are red and are commonly referred to as Irish moss. What is Sea Moss Powder? Sea Moss gained popularity in a liquid form first — as a soup or broth in Ireland and as a creamy drink in the Caribbean. However, transforming these nutrient-dense algae into a delectable drink necessitates time-consuming preparation. You would need to soak the Sea Moss for several hours before mixing or boiling it with water. However, the simple-to-blend powder can easily be added to water, almond milk, or your favorite smoothie without all of the prep work. The Benefits of Sea Moss Powder Few foods offer as comprehensive nutrition as Sea Moss — which includes 92 of the 102 minerals the body needs to optimally function. You'll find Sea Moss rich in calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, sulfur, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, zinc, fluoride, and selenium. There are also 13 vitamins found in Sea Moss: Vitamin C Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Pantothenic Acid Vitamin B6 Folate Choline Vitamin A Carotene Vitamin E Vitamin K If that wasn't already enough, Sea Moss is also high in fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9), dietary fiber, and protein. Being packed with all of those nutrients, Sea Moss offers a wide variety of benefits to the body. Supports Thyroid Function Iodine is necessary to the thyroid gland; according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), Thyroid hormone production is a process that occurs in the body, but the body does not produce iodine. So, your body must obtain it from your food. You can't generate enough thyroid hormone if you don't have enough iodine in your body. Thus, in newborns and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy, iodine deficiency can cause thyroid enlargement (goiter), hypothyroidism, and intellectual impairments. Sea Moss is one of the best sources of iodine in the world. Plus, it also contains selenium, another essential mineral in regulating thyroid function. Supports Skin Health Sea Moss contains Citrulline-arginine, a stable dipeptide, which has been known to encourage cell development and protect the skin. The amino acids are also excellent sources of nitrogen which help with collagen formation. The combination of Citrulline-arginine amino acids and increased collagen production improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles and can help prevent more from forming. It is especially great for people who live in cold, dry climates. Sea Moss can also be instrumental in protecting the skin from pollution and irritants like air conditioning. There is some evidence that it may also be beneficial in wound healing as well. Supports Immune Health The immune system is linked to the gut. A diet high in prebiotic, fiber-rich foods like sea moss may aid immune system function. Higher levels of immunological antibodies were observed in rats who ate Sea Moss, according to research published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. Further human study could bolster these conclusions. In 2013, another scientific study demonstrated the ability of Sea Moss to enhance immunity in those exposed to Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria. Participants that consumed Sea Moss had a 28% reduction in bacteria. Supports Digestive Health Sea Moss has a high concentration of prebiotics, which makes it popular for its digestive benefits. The dietary fiber that feeds your gut's beneficial microorganisms is called prebiotics. The beneficial microorganisms, in turn, aid the production of colon nutrients by gut bacteria, resulting in a healthy digestive tract. In a 2015 study, the prebiotic benefits of Sea Moss on the digestive system of rats were investigated. The population of good bacteria increased 4.9 times in the control group, while harmful bacteria such as Clostridium septicum and Streptococcus pneumonia decreased. A higher concentration of short-chain fatty acid or gut microbial metabolites and an increase in fecal moisture were also found in the study. According to the findings, Sea Moss has various prebiotic effects, including affecting gut microbial community composition, gut health improvement, and immunological regulation. May Help Dissolve Excess Mucus Contrary to popular opinion, a small amount of mucus is beneficial to our health. It forms a protective layer that works as a selective barrier or lubricant, allowing us to coexist with potentially hazardous microorganisms. Furthermore, when these microorganisms enter our systems, mucus adheres to them and is discharged as phlegm, which explains why we cough up mucus when we're sick. However, when mucus production becomes aberrant or excessive, it loses its optimum viscosity, making it easier for hazardous bacteria to infect the body. Sea Moss can help prevent excess mucus since it includes potassium chloride, omega-3 fatty acids, and chlorophyll. All three are essential substances when it comes to dissolving excess mucus and maintaining a healthy fluid balance in the body. Supports Weight Loss Weight loss may be aided by adding Sea Moss to the diet. Those who received 1,000 milligrams of red seaweed extract per day experienced a substantial reduction in body weight and total body fat mass compared to the placebo group in a 12-week study of 78 people. Fucoxanthin, a chemical found in many seaweeds, has shown potential in helping to break down and metabolize fat, according to research published on Marine Drugs. The effects of each variety of seaweed on weight loss may differ, and much of the study focuses on single chemicals rather than the effects of Sea Moss as a whole. However, there are many consumer accounts of positive weight loss results. How to Make Sea Moss Powder Having powdered Sea Moss on hand makes it easy to add some to your favorite dish or beverage. However, before turning Sea Moss into a powder, you dehydrate it. (The process can be a bit time-consuming, which is why most people opt to purchase a Sea Moss powder instead.) If you prefer to grind your own Sea Moss powder, follow these steps: 1. Clean You will want to rinse your Sea Moss thoroughly to make sure it is clean. Pat to dry. 2. Dehydrate There are two ways to dehydrate your Sea Moss. You can either use a dehydrator or your oven. If you are using the dehydrator, make sure you put it on a low setting to prevent burning your Sea Moss. For those using the oven, you will want to set the temperature to the lowest setting on your appliance. Check it often to ensure that you do not overdo it. Those that live in very sunny environments can dehydrate their Sea Moss using the sun. However, this method will be the most time-consuming. #3 Grind Once you have adequately dried Sea Moss, it is time to grind it into a powder. You can do it by hand with a mortar and pestle, or you can opt for an automatic bullet grinder to speed up the process. Other options include a coffee grinder, a tea grinder, or an electric blender. #4 Store Once you have ground all of your Sea Moss, it is time to store it in a sealed container. You will want to keep the container in a cool, dry place. Sea Moss Powder vs Sea Moss Gel To create Sea Moss gel, you first need to soak it for several hours. It will absorb the water and expand up to three times its size. Once it has expanded, the Sea Moss will be washed and sanitized to remove impediments like salt and sand. Once it is properly cleaned, the Sea Moss is blended with water to create a creamy, smooth texture which is then chilled to become Sea Moss gel. In its gel form, it can be refrigerated for up to three weeks. Sea Moss gel can be added to smoothies, drinks, or food. The process for creating powder vs gel is similar as far as effort and time are concerned. Choosing which is right for you will probably be decided by the shelf life. Sea Moss powder will last longer than the gel in most cases. Plus, many people find it easier to add the powder to their foods and beverages over the gel. However, it is really a personal preference as both are excellent supplements. Sea Moss Powder vs Sea Moss Capsules Another debate for Sea Moss users is whether to choose the powder or capsule form of the supplement. If you prefer consistency in your dosages, then capsules may be the best choice as they provide the same potency every time. Sea Moss capsules are easier to consume for some people as they do not need to be added to a beverage or food item. However, if you are someone that has difficulty taking pills, then the Sea Moss powder may be the best option. Capsules generally have a shelf life of two years. How Much Sea Moss Powder to Take Daily It's usually a good idea to know the appropriate amount to take when eating nutrients that can help us stay healthy. Consuming too much of something might lead to serious health problems. For instance, weight gain is a critical problem that many individuals face, and it may sometimes be caused by overeating of particular foods. Supplements can harm a person's health if not taken as directed. Overdoing it might cause difficulties and injury to specific parts of your body. Not taking enough can mean that you don't get the supplement's benefits at all. Sea moss is full of nutrients and minerals. Iodine, which is essential for thyroid function, is one of the most abundant of these elements. It's important to remember that our bodies can only function optimally when all necessary nutrients are in balance. Homeostasis is the term for this state of equilibrium, and it's critical to your general health. Ingesting too much iodine can throw the delicate balance off, and even tiny levels of iodine might be problematic. With this in mind, you'll want to avoid consuming too much sea moss. Five grams of sea moss per day is the suggested dose and dosage. However, as with any new supplements, you should check with your health care professional before adding Sea Moss to your diet. High-Quality Sea Moss Products If you are looking for a high-quality Sea Moss product, Atlantic Naturals has a line of supplements that are highly rated. Organic Sea Moss Capsules With 120 per bottle, these Sea Moss capsules increase skin health and improve thyroid function. They are vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free. Organic Sea Moss with Beet Root Capsules The Sea Moss with Beet Root capsules combine the world's most nutrient-rich algae with the superfood Beet Root. Increase your athletic performance while boosting digestive health. Organic Sea Moss with Spirulina Capsules Adding Sea Moss and Spirulina in the same capsule gives you a powerful punch of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In addition to supporting healthy blood pressure levels it also protects against anemia. Organic Sea Moss Superfood Powder with Ashwagandha, Beet Root and Maca There are 30 servings in each container of Sea Moss powder from Atlantic Naturals. The powder is easy to mix into your favorite beverage giving you help with stress management, a positive mindset, improved cognitive function, and healthy blood pressure management. Sea Moss Powder: The Benefits are Clear With so many clear benefits, it is no wonder that people all around the world are turning to Sea Moss Powder as a way to boost their health. An easy-to-use supplement that is truly one of nature’s best secrets!
