Sea moss is a type of red algae also known as Irish moss (or Chondrus crispus, if you want to be formal about it). It is harvested for its carrageenan, an ingredient used to thicken dairy products such as ice cream, but it is also available raw and in supplement form, such as pills, powders, gels and gummies. Sea moss is commonly harvested in New England to extract carrageenan, a gelatinous carbohydrate used in baked goods and cosmetics. However, sea moss can also be eaten alone and is often used to thicken soups and stews.
Let's take a look at the health benefits of this intertidal alga. Sea moss, a type of algae, has been part of the human diet for thousands of years, especially in the Caribbean and Ireland. Sea moss generally refers to a specific type of algae or seaweed called Chondrus crispus, also known as Irish moss. It is a thorny and edible plant, and has some similarities with other edible algae such as kombu, dulse or wakame.
Early studies suggest that sea moss may boost the immune system and even protect the body from contracting salmonella. Ever since Kim Kardashian posted about drinking a sea moss smoothie, the healthy eating community has been brimming with information about this superfood, stating that sea moss can help with everything from the skin to the immune system. If people have an existing thyroid problem, they should check with their healthcare provider before taking it because of the iodine content in sea moss. Adding some sea moss to an occasional smoothie or plant-based pudding (sea moss has a natural thickening property) is fine.
A serving of sea moss is just two tablespoons, so it doesn't take long to start adding sea moss to your diet. Also called Irish sea moss or Irish moss, some people also consider sea moss to be part of the wellness lexicon. Sea moss, also known as Irish moss or red algae, is a type of algae that grows all year round in puddles and coves. Sea moss grows naturally in waters and tidal pools along rocky coastlines, such as the northern shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Sea moss, in particular, contains an average of 3.86 ± 1.49 milligrams of iodine per kilogram of dry weight. The research found that people who received certain types of sea moss reduced levels of fatigue, exhaustion and pain. The truth is, while people have been eating sea moss for years, scientists are only now beginning to investigate its medical benefits. Always follow the instructions on the bottle or product and talk to your doctor about whether sea moss is right for you, Reisdorf advises.
Sea moss can be part of fertility treatment in traditional medicinal systems and, anecdotally, some people say that algae help their fertility. Adding powdered sea moss to soups or stews can have a thickening effect similar to that of using it in gel form.
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