Registered nutritionist, Kerry Torrens, explores sea moss – what it’s, the place it may be discovered and the well being advantages related to its use.
What’s sea moss?
Chondrus crispus is an edible seaweed discovered rising in coastal areas of the Atlantic, together with these in Europe and North America. Like different seaweeds, it’s a wealthy supply of most of the harder-to-get vitamins.
Extra generally known as sea moss, its foremost culinary use is because the thickening agent, carrageenan. Vegan-friendly and all-round emulsifier, carrageenan is ceaselessly utilized by meals producers. In a home setting, nonetheless, you’re extra prone to discover sea moss in complement kind reasonably than as a recipe ingredient.
Given its identify, you would possibly count on sea moss to be inexperienced – it’s really out there in a wide range of colors from inexperienced via to yellow, pink, brown and even black. The commonest selection, nonetheless, is pink, and sometimes called Irish moss.
Uncover our full vary of well being profit guides and take a look at a few of our favorite seaweed recipes.
Dietary benefits
Two tablespoons (10g) of Irish moss (uncooked) incorporates roughly:
4.9 kcals/21 KJ
0.15g protein
0.02g fats
1.23g carbohydrates
0.13g fibre
7.2 mg calcium
0.89mg iron
14.4mg magnesium
0.19mg zinc
Sourced from U.S. Division of Agriculture: Agricultural Analysis Service
It’s price noting that dietary values will fluctuate relying on the geographical location of the ocean moss, the season of the harvest and the way it’s saved and processed.
Prime 5 well being advantages of sea moss
1. Could assist thyroid well being
Our thyroid gland is answerable for releasing hormones to assist govern our development, power, replica and restore. In an effort to do that, the thyroid wants plenty of vitamins, one among which is iodine and one other the amino acid, tyrosine. Each of those vitamins are present in seaweed, though in variable ranges relying on the variability and the way it’s saved and ready.
2. Could assist intestine well being
Seaweed is wealthy in dietary fibre, a lot of which is within the type of polysaccharides, a fibre we will’t digest however the micro organism in our intestine can – on this method it acts as a prebiotic or meals supply for these helpful intestine microbes.
Fuelling the intestine micro organism on this method helps create a beneficial atmosphere selling the microbes which supply us the best advantages. It’s these intestine micro organism which, amongst different issues, assist form our well being via their manufacturing of helpful compounds referred to as brief chain fatty acids.
3. Could assist immunity
The cruel situations of the coastal waters through which seaweed, like sea moss, have developed to outlive has meant they’ve developed an enviable defence mechanism. As such, they’re wealthy in phytochemicals which, when consumed, present well being advantages together with immune modulation and improved immune response for the buyer.
4. Could enhance blood sugar management
Research recommend that together with seaweed as a part of a wholesome, balanced weight loss program might assist blood sugar administration and doubtlessly scale back the danger of kind 2 diabetes. That is thanks, partly, to compounds just like the carotenoid and fucoxanthin, which helps to cut back insulin resistance and assist higher blood sugar management. The excessive fibre content material in seaweed additionally performs its half in serving to gradual the velocity of digestion.
5. Could assist coronary heart well being
Seaweed, together with sea moss, is without doubt one of the greatest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, that are important for well being, and particularly so for the center and cardiovascular system. Research recommend that seaweed might enhance ldl cholesterol steadiness and act as a blood thinner, lowering the danger of coronary heart illness.
It’s price noting that though some research study the results of sea moss, many use different species of seaweed. Subsequently, extra analysis is required to make clear our understanding of the precise well being results of sea moss within the human weight loss program.
Is sea moss protected for everybody?
Being wealthy within the mineral iodine, seaweed, together with sea moss, is very helpful for these following a largely plant-based weight loss program. Nonetheless, whereas the iodine content material makes seaweed helpful for thyroid well being, consuming an excessive amount of might have a detrimental impact. Because of this, the British Dietetic Affiliation recommends seaweed shouldn’t be eaten greater than as soon as per week, particularly throughout being pregnant.
In case you’re on blood thinning medicine similar to warfarin, your GP or dietitian might recommend you monitor the vitamin Ok-rich meals, like seaweed, in your weight loss program to make sure you eat comparable quantities constantly. One other nutrient which seaweed is excessive in is potassium. Sure medicines work by elevating the potassium ranges within the blood, so in case you are taking one among these, you need to be cautious when consuming meals wealthy in potassium, like seaweed.
Extra like this
Seaweed can take in and retailer minerals in excessive quantities, and should accumulate poisonous heavy metals similar to cadmium, mercury, aluminium and lead. That mentioned, one examine suggests the toxicity danger seems low, though it’s best to devour sea moss, as with different sea greens, moderately.
In case you’re on prescription medicine, have a related medical situation or produce other associated issues, communicate to your GP for additional steerage.
This text was final up to date on twenty fifth November 2022.
Kerry Torrens is a Registered Nutritionist (MBANT) with a submit graduate diploma in Personalised Vitamin & Dietary Remedy. She is a member of the British Affiliation for Vitamin and Life-style Medication (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Meals Writers. Over the past 15 years she has been a contributing writer to plenty of dietary and cookery publications together with BBC Good Meals.
All well being content material on bbcgoodfood.com is supplied for basic info solely, and shouldn’t be handled as an alternative to the medical recommendation of your personal physician or some other well being care skilled. When you’ve got any issues about your basic well being, it’s best to contact your native well being care supplier. See our web site phrases and situations for extra info.
