Divine Algae: Sea moss and How it Can Help You

As a (mostly) raw vegan, I’ve been consuming a lot of research regarding healthy habits and healthy eating. I want to talk to you about Sea moss today. There has been a lot of chirp on the airways about it lately and it had me interested. What is this stuff exactly? Where does it grow? What benefits does it provide when consumed? What are the risks? Let’s dive on in.

Chondrus crispus

Chondrus crispus, the scientific name for what is less formally known as Irish Sea moss (also known as Red Seaweed and Carrageen moss). For the purposes of this article I will simply refer to it as “Sea moss“.

Sea moss is a species of red algae that is known to have existed for centuries on the planet Earth. You might often see it with a reddish color, however the color of Sea moss can range from greenish-yellow, to red, to a dark purple, or even a purplish-brown!

*Chondrus crispus in a variety of colors*!

Sea moss is very resilient due to its geographic locations. It can be found in concentrated amounts along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. Other species of the same genus are also reported to exist on the Pacific coast of America and Asia as well. More specifically, Sea moss can be found growing on rock where water touches, all the way down to the ocean floor, and can survive with minimal sunlight.

The body of Sea moss is mostly made up of the polysaccharide (more on this later) carrageenan, which constitutes 55% of its dry weight. It also consists of nearly 10% dry weight protein and about 15% dry weight mineral matter.

Because Sea moss has evolved to grow in harsh conditions, it has grown rich in nutrients, like Iodine and Sulfur.

Use Cases

Its main culinary use is as a thickening agent however it can be eaten on its own. You might also see it harvested to extract a gelatinous carbohydrate used for baked goods & cosmetic products. It is commonly being used in places like Jamaica, Ireland & Scotland for medicinal purposes. I expect the use-cases to grow as information pertaining to Sea moss is spread.

Rich In Benefits

Sea moss is considered an amazing super food. It soothes your mucus membranes and breaks them down, supporting respiratory and digestive function in your body.

The plant is also rich in antioxidants (which break down free radicals that damage our cells), containing Vitamin A, C, B2, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Amino Acids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Iodine, Dietary Fibre, large amounts of Potassium (an essential mineral that supports muscle contraction and blood pressure control), and more. Sea moss is actually said to contain 92 out of the 102 minerals that your body needs to thrive!

What exactly does Sea moss do for you?

By consuming Sea moss, it will:

Support thyroid health.
Support respiratory and digestive health.
Act as a prebiotic, which promote good bacteria and kill bad bacteria.
Support immune health.

Thyroid Health

Your thyroid gland is responsible for releasing hormones that aid in your growth, energy level, cellular reproduction and repair. Sea moss is rich in the 2 nutrients required for this to occur, Iodine and the amino acid Tyrosine.

Heart Health

Sea moss is also rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 Fatty Acids play essential roles in your heart and cardiovascular health. They improve cholesterol balance and act as a blood thinner, reducing the risk of heart disease.

They are also an important part of your cellular membranes, which provide structure and support interaction between your cells. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are concentrated at high levels in your eye and brain cells.

Digestive Health

Sea moss is rich in dietary fibre in the form of polysaccarides (I told you we would come back to this!). Its good to note that our bodies cannot digest polysaccarides but the bacteria living in our gut can, acting as a prebiotic to these “good bacteria”. Feeding these good bacteria is important because they create what is known as short chain fatty acids, a major player in maintenance of gut and immune homeostasis (balance, equilibrium).

Immune Health

To ensure its survival, Sea moss has developed a powerful defense mechanism against disease. To explain further, Sea moss is rich in phytochemicals which improve or “modulate” your body’s immune response to the formation of cancer and tumors.

What Are The Risks?

I wish there were none! But everything in life is about balance, so we have to do our part in understanding the risks of consuming Sea moss. Sea moss is said to contain an array of heavy metals because of its environmental conditions, but one study strongly suggests that the amounts per serving size pose little to no threat. In supplement form, a normal serving size is 2 tablespoons, so you probably don’t want to overdo it on the consumption.

A 2-tablespoon serving of supplement-form Sea moss contains:

0.15g protein

0.02g fat

1.23g carbohydrates

0.13g fibre

7.2mg calcium

0.89mg iron

14.4mg magnesium

0.19mg zinc

Source: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168456/nutrients

Please Note: Values will vary based upon where the sea moss grew on the Earth, how it was harvested and how it was stored and processed.

The Verdict Is In

Innocent on all charges! My consensus is that Sea moss is a great thing to consume. But like all things in today’s world, you must err on the side of caution by consuming with moderation. Always read the packaging on things you buy, and be aware of how the Sea moss was grown, harvested and produced.

I personally like my plants organic and fresh, with no genetic modification. That being said, do NOT be afraid of this stuff, it can offer you and those you love incredible health benefits.

Plug

I have to plug Good Food Baddie on her Sea Moss Gel recipe, it is very well done and easy to follow. Makes me want to make a batch myself!

Seam moss gel recipe by Good Food Baddie!