Sea moss is an algae that forms in various colors from yellow, to purple, to red, and is technically known as chondrus crispus. It grows naturally along the Atlantic shorelines of Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Being incredibly nutritious, it became known throughout Europe as the super-food of the sea.
Perhaps one of the most important and undervalued benefits of sea moss is its ability to help balance thyroid hormones. Irish Moss contains the vital thyroid hormone precursor DI-Iodothyronine (DIT), and the thyroid hormones Thyroxin (T4) and Tri-iodothyronine (T3). If the thyroid doesn’t produce these hormones as it should, this can have a detrimental effect on metabolism and many other bodily systems. Irish Moss is also extremely high in the trace element iodine – the thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of iodine than any other organ in the body. You cannot make thyroid hormones without sufficient levels of iodine.
Being a potent source of potassium chloride, sea moss soothes inflammation of the mucus membranes to prevent congestion, helping to clear out the lungs of any phlegm that builds up with a common cold. Because of these expectorant qualities, Irish moss may help to prevent a common cold from turning into pneumonia and can treat other respiratory problems such as bronchitis. Irish Moss also has powerful antiviral properties, helping to prevent or treat a myriad of disorders such as the flu, bronchitis, sore throats, chesty coughs, the common cold, and much more.
Irish Moss is thought to help reduce the appetite due to its ability to absorb moisture, increasing its volume and filling the intestinal tract with a bulking type material, thus increasing the feeling of fullness. Its gentle laxative effect can promote the elimination process of waste through the gastrointestinal tract. The aforementioned iodine content can boost metabolism which in turn will increase energy and can help to accelerate weight loss.
The high fiber content in Irish Moss exerts a mild laxative effect whilst soothing inflamed tissues within the intestinal tract, potentially providing relief from a host of intestinal disorders. Its demulcent properties promote healthy digestion – soothing the membranes of the digestive tract. The gelatin like content helps to ease gastritis, nausea, heartburn and indigestion. Ideally, it works by eliciting mild laxative effects while also managing inflammatory disorders of the gut.
The human body is made up of 102 minerals and Irish Moss contains 92 of them. It also provides a wealth of other important nutrients including; protein, beta-carotene, B vitamins, pectin, vitamin C and Sulphur. One of the most important of these nutrients is a sulphur-containing amino acid called taurine, which is more abundant in Irish moss than any other seaweed – a nutrient that is commonly lacking in vegetarian and vegan diets. It is an excellent immune boosting food that can be invaluable in the recovery from debilitating illness. Its high vitamin and mineral content make it the perfect food to replenish and revitalize the body after a long battle with disease.
The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties naturally found in sea moss provide an effective remedy for joint pain. Sea moss can also strengthen the connective tissues which helps to recover faster after a strenuous workout session or from surgeries.
There are many metabolic regulators in the body, most of which are hormones. In this category, thyroid hormones play a key role. As mentioned previously, Irish sea moss significantly boosts the synthesis of thyroid hormone due to its rich iodine content, thereby boosting metabolism as well. Not only that, but the iron content of this algae facilitates rapid and efficient transport of oxygen to tissues to help meet metabolic demands. Iron also augments the metabolic activity of certain enzymes responsible for digestion.
Disorders of the heart and cardiovascular system in general are due to some sort of issue in regulating blood flow. Moss seaweed reduces the possibility of suffering from heart conditions such as angina due to its ability to boost blood flow and improve oxygen delivery to tissues. It also contains antioxidants that help prevent oxidative destruction of blood vessels and tissue cells by free radicals.
The mental health support of sea moss is attributed to its dense amount of potassium. Potassium helps our body maintain healthy mental and emotional function. A lack of it leads to anxiety, irritability, and depression. Because Potassium can't be stored, we need an adequate supply from our food. Sea moss packs more potassium than two bananas, and has proven to be beneficial, especially in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as with anxiety and depression.
