Author: Maria Alfano
Sea moss benefits can have such a potentially positive impact on the body. I don’t know about you, but I really hate taking medications. I really prefer to have my body heal itself. As I have gotten older, some of them thar parts are not working like they used to. Raise your hand if you can relate!!
I have found that by adding sea moss to my diet, some of those parts have been working much better. You will love this tasty treat. Make it your own by adding your own spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla. The world is your oyster.
Sea moss has been around for centuries and has long since been used in many countries around the world, especially in Ireland and the Caribbean. There are many varieties of sea moss. The two most common are Sea Moss (duh) and Irish Moss. It is a great addition to any diet whether you are vegan or a meat lover. Some may even call this a superfood.
This post will explain the 7 sea moss benefits that will help get your insides moving (literally) again. As well, you will learn about the nutritional value of sea moss, and how you can use it in your daily life.
7 Sea Moss Benefits You Need To Know About That Will Get Your Midlife Body Working Like A Well-Oiled Machine
My doctor once explained the human body like this: when we are young it works like a Rolex – super fine and exquisite. As we get older it tends to become more of a Timex, it’s there, it tells time but we have to regularly adjust the time because it tends to slow down.
Midlife is upon us and many of our parts are slowing down. We feel extra bloated, we have trouble pooping, even our skin doesn’t look as smooth and supple as it did in our 20s and 30s. This is where sea moss comes in. Sea moss is a great addition to your diet. It’s inexpensive but packs a punch of amazing benefits. The best part is it tastes really good – no fishy, seaweed taste. And, no after taste.
What is sea moss
Sea moss or Irish moss is seaweed or algae found in the oceans. It comes in many colors including purple, green, orange, red, brown, and black.
Irish moss isn’t called that because it is from Ireland but rather because the Irish discovered it was a healthy food option during the great potato famine of the 1800s. Scientists have found that sea moss contains up to 90% of the vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy.
Not all sea moss is created equally. Experts say the best sea moss is harvested from the Atlantic Ocean around the Caribbean. You can find dehydrated sea moss at many local supermarkets, West Indian or Asian supermarkets, Amazon, and health food stores. Dried sea moss reminds me of straw or paper packing straw found in the bottom of gift baskets.
Be particular when buying sea moss and don’t choose something based on price. Look for something that was naturally sun-dried not mechanically dehydrated. Sun-dried sea moss maintains its nutrients whereas the heating process of mechanically dehydrated sea moss will cause the nutrients to evaporate along with the moisture.
You can buy sea moss in capsule form. I am not a fan personally because the process required to dry, crush and insert into a capsule, reduces if not completely removes the 7 sea moss benefits that you are aiming to add to your diet. It defeats the purpose of buying sun-dried sea moss. Many of the nutrients are lost in the encapsulation process.
Irish sea moss
Sea moss is high in the following nutrients which are essential for the body especially as we start to turn into that Timex during midlife:
- Iron – makes hemoglobin which carries protein in red blood cells to transport oxygen to all parts of the body.
- Magnesium – is a heavyweight. It controls muscles and nerve functions, controls blood sugar levels, and regulates blood pressure.
- Phosphorus – plays a big role in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. It also controls how carbs are used by the body.
- Zinc – helps fight bacteria that could make you sick.
- Copper – together with iron, it works to make enough red blood cells to keep the body healthy.
- Iodine – is critical for the thyroid to maintain proper bone and brain development.
- Protein – helps repair damaged cells and create new ones as needed
- Fiber – is required to help you expel unwanted toxins from your body through bowel movements.
7 Sea Moss Benefits You Need To Know About
Visible Benefits
SKIN IRRITANTS – Sea moss gell has been known to cool and calm the effects of minor skin irritations and eczema. Its super-hydrating properties help the skin absorb the moisture it is missing. The skin feels soft, supple, and invigorated. Hydrated skin also has fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
WEIGHT Loss – because of the high fiber content in sea moss, this helps digestion. It helps you feel full without feeling bloated and so you eat less. Sea moss makes a great tasting smoothie. Use it as a meal replacement. Not only will you feel fuller, but the urge to overeat will also be gone. Depending on what you add to the sea moss smoothie the calorie count starts at 10 and goes up from there.
BOWELS – regular bowel movements can be a little elusive as we age. The high fiber content in sea moss can help relieve some of the stress of irregularity. High fiber and plenty of water keep your stools moving at a normal pace. Toxins are evacuated more frequently keeping you healthy.
Invisible Benefits
THYROID – your thyroid is powered by iodine. Sea moss is an excellent source of natural iodine. Metabolism is controlled by the thyroid. How fast or how slow you can lose weight is determined by how well your thyroid is working.
GUT Health – they say your gut is the window to your best health. The fiber and probiotics found in sea moss will help to stabilize and get your gut moving again. A healthy gut gets rid of bad bacteria. It tells the brain things when things are good or bad in the body so the brain knows how to regulate the issues.
ENERGY Boost – the body requires healthy levels of iron for energy. Irish sea moss is an excellent source of iron without the side effects of iron pills (constipation).
IMMUNE System – the vitamins and minerals in sea moss help boost the immune system and are helpful in reducing inflammation. Potassium chloride found in sea moss is proven to help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of infection.
Let’s prep some sea moss
Because sea moss comes from the sea/ocean it is very salty and can contain sand particles. It is really important to wash it properly before you use it.
- SOAK overnight – place it in a large bowl as it will expand considerably as it rehydrates. Fill the bowl with water. Cover the bowl with cling wrap. Leave it on the counter for at least 8 hours.
- RINSE – remove the seaweed from the bowl and discard the liquid. Some folks like to keep it and use it in their smoothies. Personally, I am not a fan of the grit going back into my sea moss. Rinse your sea moss well. Remove any sand that may still be stuck to the moss. You may need to rinse a couple of times until the water in the bowl is clear.
- GEL – prepare a simple gel. Place the sea moss into your blender with water. Blend until smooth. This gel will keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can add the gel to cereals, yogurt, or make a smoothie.
- SMOOTHIE – go straight from step 2 or you can use the gel. Add 1.5 cups of almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cow’s milk, or your favorite milk beverage to your blender. Mix in 2/3 cups of sea moss. Add 2-3 pitted dates (for sweetness) or your preferred sweetener and a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Blend until smooth. Pour over ice and drink responsibly.
Sea Moss Negative
Too much of a good thing isn’t always “good”. Some experts feel that too much sea moss can be dangerous. While iodine is essential for thyroid health, too much iodine can counteract the sea moss benefits for the thyroid and “may” promote cancer in some people. Too much iodine inflames the thyroid and prevents it from working properly. Limit your use of sea moss to a couple of times per week to enjoy the benefits and reduce the risks.
We would love to hear from you. Tell us how you made this smoothie your own and these sea moss benefits have helped you.