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Irish Moss Health Benefits Nutrition and Uses for Optimal Wellness

11 Jan Irish Moss Health Benefits Nutrition and Uses for Optimal Wellness

Posted at 17:08h in HEALTH IS WEALTH by
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Despite its name, Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) isn’t really a moss: It’s a type of algae, or seaweed. This red, branching seaweed is found on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Britain, Europe, and North America. Irish moss plays an important role in a number of industries, but one of its most common uses is in food.Irish moss is largely made of a jelly-like substance known as carrageenan, which makes Irish moss so broadly useful. Carrageenan can be used as a vegan substitute for gelatin, as well as a general emulsifier, so it can be found in everything from ice cream to infant formula. There is some significant controversy surrounding carrageenan and Irish moss, with studies on both sides showing that carrageenan may have both positive and negative health effects.Here’s what you need to know about Irish moss’s effect on your health:

List Of 10 Other Minerals Missing In Sea Moss

Despite sea moss containing most of the minerals used by our body, sea moss doesn’t have ten minerals.

The missing minerals from sea moss are:

  1. Thulium
  2. Tin
  3. Titanium
  4. Tungsten
  5. Uranium
  6. Vanadium
  7. Xenon
  8. Ytterbium
  9. Yttrium
  10. Zirconium
There’s a likelihood that you have never heard about some of these minerals. Most of these minerals are uncommon, and some, when consumed in massive amounts, are toxic and have adverse effects on human health. Vanadium helps improve sensitivity to insulin by improving glucose metabolism and can also aid in the growth of cells. Tin has numerous dental benefits for our bodies. It helps prevent bacteria in our teeth and helps us deal with conditions such as dental cavities, sensitive teeth, bad breath, and gingivitis. Despite its benefits, only a tiny amount of the mineral is absorbed by the body, and too much consumption of the minerals can be toxic to your body. Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zirconium, Uranium, and Tungsten have no specified crucial biological role in the human body. Most of these minerals are toxic and can cause adverse effects such as cancer when consumed in high amounts.  Since Irish moss doesn’t contain these minerals, you have nothing to worry about when ingesting the seaweed.

Health Benefits

Irish moss and other seaweeds can provide important health benefits. For example, seaweed is rich in iodine, which is an important nutrient for your thyroid. Iodine helps your thyroid produce hormones that control your metabolism, nerves, and bone growth.In addition, Irish moss and seaweed may provide health benefits like:Better Heart HealthSeaweed, including Irish moss specifically, is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are critical for a healthy heart. In fact, getting enough omega-3 fatty acids is connected to a lower risk of heart disease, blood clots, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Eating seaweed and Irish moss can help you improve your heart health even if you’re not a fan of fish.May Help Control Blood Sugar
One substance found in Irish moss that may be helpful is fucoxanthin. This is a carotenoid that gives Irish moss its rich red-brown color.
Studies have shown that fucoxanthin may have significant benefits for regulating blood sugar levels. It appears to help the body respond to insulin more effectively, meaning that your body can control its own blood sugar with less work. For people with diabetes, eating Irish moss may help prevent blood sugar spikes or crashes.
Reduced Risk of Cancer Fucoxanthin and other carotenoids found in Irish moss act as antioxidants, which are known to help fight free radicals. Uncontrolled free radicals can damage cells, causing them to grow in dangerous ways — damaged cells can become cancerous. By eating seaweed like Irish moss, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers.

Health Risks

Although Irish moss offers many health benefits and can improve your body’s overall function, some studies have shown that carrageenan may have negative effects. Under certain circumstances, carrageenan can be converted into “degraded carrageenan,” or poligeenan — which is known to be toxic and may cause several health problems. There is currently no scientific evidence to show that your body can convert carrageenan to poligeenan. However, some seaweed can contain poligeenan naturally.

May Cause Intestinal Inflammation

Poligeenan can lead to inflammation of the intestines, causing problems with nutrition absorption. This can also lead to discomfort and bloating over time. It may also be linked with colitis and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

May Cause Stomach Ulcers

In large amounts, poligeenan has also been shown to cause stomach lesions and ulcers in animal studies. More poligeenan is generally connected to larger ulcers.

May Lead to Stomach and Bowel Cancer

Finally, poligeenan has also been linked to polyps that may become cancerous. Poligeenan appears to cause problems in the digestive tract that lead to cell mutations commonly found in cancers, particularly in cases where ulcers are found. It’s important to note that carrageenan has none of these effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that carrageenan is safe to use as a food additive, and the human body cannot produce conditions to convert carrageenan to poligeenan.

Amounts and Dosage

The FDA recommends that people consume no more than 225 micrograms of iodine daily. Since Irish moss is rich in iodine, you may want to be cautious when it comes to overeating it. In general, eating one to two servings, or 2 to 4 tablespoons, is considered safe and healthy.

  1. What are the Sea Moss Nutrition Benefits?
  1. This is a short list of the various elements, chemicals, trace minerals, and vitamins typically found in sea moss:
  2. Calcium (Ca)
  3. Folate (‎C19H19N7O6)
  4. Iron (Fe)
  5. Zinc (Zn)
  6. Copper (Cu)
  7. Sodium (Na)
  8. Iodine (I)
  9. Boron (B)
  10. Soluble Potash (K2O)
  11. Magnesium (Mg)
  12. Manganese (Mn)
  13. Phosphoric Acid (P2O5)
  14. Potassium (K)
  15. Selenium (Se)
  16. Sulfur (S),
  17. Carbohydrates including:
  • Alginic Acid (C6H11No6)n
  • Mannitol (C6H14O6)
  • Laminarin ‎(C6H10O5)x

18.Nitrogen (N), and

19.Vitamins A to E, and K

What is Selenium?

Selenium is used widely in a range of applications and is found in commercially produced baby formula, multivitamins and a range of other supplements. It is necessary in small amounts for healthy cellular function.

Being a component of specific antioxidant enzymes, it also helps to maintain healthy thyroid function by converting one type of thyroid hormone to another type as needed.

  1. Selenium is capable of changing form under various conditions including temperature variations and exposure to Carbon disulfide.
  2. Organic Selenium is believed to provide support to the body and prevent a range of complications including:
  3. The destruction of cells through premature oxidization and oxidative stress
  4. Reduce the degree of impact or the likelihood of:
  5. Alzheimer’s disease
  6. Cancer
  7. Stroke, and
  8. Premature aging
  9. Reducing the potential of mental health issues and depression
  10. Reducing the extent of complications associated with Hashimoto’s disease
  11. Boosting the immune system, and reducing the impact of Asthma and related symptom.

Laminarin

What is Laminarin?

Laminarin is a beta-glucan that is found in brown species of seaweeds and algae. It is responsible for the storage of the polysaccharide Glucan. It plays a key role in medicinal and medical research circles as it has been found to possess the following properties:

  • Antioxidant
  • Antiviral
  • Antiinflammatory
  • Anticoagulant
  • Antiproliferative
  • Antitumour
  • Antiapoptosis, and
  • Immunostimulatory
Laminarin is created via photosynthesis and is needed as a part of the life cycle of many microorganisms. From a food source perspective in our global ecosystem, think of Laminarin as a carbohydrate.
It is used as a food source in a similar way to how chrysolaminarin is put to use by phytoplankton, in particular diatoms.

Sea moss gel

Sea moss gel is a natural, nutrient-rich product derived from sea moss. It is high in minerals such as iodine, potassium, and calcium, and is a good source of hydration and hydrocolloids. It is often used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in food, cosmetics, and medicine.Let’s take a look at the health benefits of this intertidal seaweed. 

Ever since Kim Kardashian posted about drinking a sea moss smoothie, the healthy eating community has been bursting with information about this superfood, claiming that sea moss can help with everything from your skin to your immune system. But how many of those benefits are based on science and how many are just hearsay? The truth is that while people have eaten sea moss for years, scientists are only now beginning to research its medical benefits. Here’s what we know so far.

May prevent Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is the second-most-common degenerative disease found in older adults. It causes tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement, and there is no cure. But early research shows that sea moss may be able to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. In a study done with worms, extract from sea moss was shown to reduce stiffness and slowness of movement. This could mean promising things for people with Parkinson’s. But more research is needed to see if sea moss has the same effect on humans that it has on worms. 

May improve the immune system

Early studies suggest that sea moss can boost the immune system and may even protect the body from contracting salmonella. One study showed that sea moss can stop the growth of S. enteritidis, the bacteria that causes salmonella in humans. But this is a very early study and has not been reproduced in animals or humans. More research is needed to determine whether sea moss could help prevent or treat salmonella in humans. 

Sea Moss Nutrition

One of the reasons sea moss has been touted as a superfood recently is that it’s a vegan, gluten-free source of many nutrients. Some of the nutrients in sea moss are:

  • Vitamin B2
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc

Nutrients per serving

2 tablespoons of sea moss contain: 

  • Calories: 5
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
  • Sodium: 7 milligrams
  • Carbohydrates: 1 gram
  • Fiber: 0 grams
  • Sugar: 0 grams
  • Protein: 0 grams

Portion sizes

When it comes to using sea moss, remember that a little bit goes a long way. A serving of sea moss is just two tablespoons, so it doesn’t take much to start adding it to your diet. Sea moss is a source of iodine, which is something you can eat too much of. Having too much iodine in your diet can lead to a goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, which can require surgery to resolve. To prevent this, be sure to stick to no more than one serving of sea moss per day. 

 

 

 

Sea Moss Side Effects

Although Irish moss offers many health benefits and can improve your body’s overall function, some studies have shown that carrageenan may have negative effects. Under certain circumstances, carrageenan can be converted into “degraded carrageenan,” or poligeenan, which is known to be toxic and may cause several health problems. There is no scientific evidence to show that your body can convert carrageenan to poligeenan. But some seaweed can contain poligeenan naturally.

May cause intestinal inflammation

Poligeenan can lead to inflammation of the intestines, causing problems with nutrition absorption. This can also lead to discomfort and bloating over time. It may also be linked with colitis and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

May cause stomach ulcers

In large amounts, poligeenan has also been shown to cause stomach lesions and ulcers in animal studies. More poligeenan is generally connected to larger ulcers. 

May lead to stomach and bowel cancer

Finally, poligeenan has also been linked to polyps that may become cancerous. Poligeenan appears to cause problems in the digestive tract that lead to cell mutations commonly found in cancers, particularly in cases where ulcers are found. It’s important to note that carrageenan has none of these effects. The FDA has determined that carrageenan is safe to use as a food additive, and the human body cannot produce conditions to convert carrageenan to poligeenan. High levels of iodine found in sea moss can cause thyroid problems and even cancer. Eating too much sea moss can also cause stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. And sea moss may contain toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, and lead, which can be dangerous to consume. Also, sea moss may have blood-thinning properties, so people taking blood-thinning medication should avoid it. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid sea moss because there is not enough research on its effects on these populations. Before adding sea moss to your diet, its best to talk to a health care professional.

The FDA recommends that people consume no more than 150 micrograms of iodine daily. Since Irish moss is rich in iodine, you may want to be cautious when it comes to overeating it. In general, eating one to two servings, or 2 to 4 tablespoons, is considered safe and healthy. 

Many brands have begun selling sea moss capsules and tablets. But there are plenty of ways you can prepare sea moss yourself to enjoy in dishes at home. 

To cook with sea moss, you first need to wash it and then soak it in cold water for a full day, changing the water frequently. You’ll know your sea moss is ready to use when it has doubled in size and become white and gelatinous. Once it’s ready, put the sea moss and some water into a blender and blend until it becomes a thick, honey-colored liquid. Once you have your prepared sea moss, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use it in a number of recipes. Sea moss acts as a thickening agent in recipes, making it ideal for: 

  • Smoothies
  • Soups
  • Stews
  • Baked goods

Disclaimer:The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

CURATED BY OZZIE SMALL

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