The Side Effects Of Sea Moss and 10 Benefits Of Sea Moss

Sea moss has become a topic of discussion for health and fitness enthusiasts as it has tons of benefits. However, it has side effects too. Here are some benefits and side effects of sea moss. If you don’t know what are the side effects of sea moss, you should not add it to your diet. It is very important to be aware of sea moss side effects before consuming it.

Every healthcare provider recommends their patients take sea moss along with their other food products. They advocate for adding sea moss because of its numerous benefits and the presence of active ingredients. At the same time, sea moss may have adverse effects, which can be dangerous for health as the body will not accept an overdose of any substance.

We have listed below some benefits of sea moss and some sea moss side effects.

1. What Is Sea Moss?

Sea moss is commonly known as red algae, and its scientific name is Chondrus crispus. It is a kind of algae or you can call it red seaweed. Sea moss is also called Irish sea moss. Sea moss is a sea vegetable that is edible. Eating sea moss is similar to leafy sea vegetables like kelp or dulse.

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Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Sea moss is found in a variety of shades, such as green, yellow, purple, red, brown, and black. One can find sea moss in tide pools and inlets. The gelatinous carbohydrate( the extracted carrageenan) is commonly used in baked goods and cosmetics. 

2. The Benefits Of Sea Moss

Sea moss benefits, adds nutritional value to the human body, and improves health. Although sea moss has health benefits, people still have many doubts and questions regarding its use. It is found that sea moss detoxifies the side effects of toxins and other wastes in your body.

Here are some of the reported benefits of sea moss

Benefits of Sea Moss Dr. Sebi

2.1. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Rich in Nutrients 

Sea moss is a source of essential nutrients, including vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and B vitamins), minerals (such as iodine, calcium, magnesium, and potassium), and trace elements (such as zinc and selenium). These nutrients are important for overall health and well-being.

2.2. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Digestive Health 

Sea moss contains soluble fiber, which can help support healthy digestion. It may also have prebiotic properties, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

2.3. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Immune System Support

 The vitamins and minerals present in sea moss, particularly vitamin C and antioxidants, can contribute to a healthy immune system and help the body defend against infections.

2.4. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Skin Health

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Photo by Linh Ha on Unsplash

Sea moss is sometimes used in skincare products due to its potential to promote healthy skin. Its nutrient content, including vitamins and minerals, may contribute to maintaining skin’s moisture and elasticity.

2.5. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Weight Management

The soluble fiber in sea moss can help you feel fuller for longer, potentially aiding in weight management by reducing overeating.

woman measuring waist bw photo
Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

2.6. Benefits Of Sea Moss: Heart Health

The minerals and nutrients in sea moss, particularly potassium, can support heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure and promoting proper heart function.

Here is a list of some top health benefits of Irish Moss. 

  • Raw Irish sea moss is rich in nutrition, and it restores your energy.
  • Sea moss has polysaccharides that act as soluble fiber and thus are responsible for the loss of weight.
  •  Sea moss will boost your immune system. Sea moss also contains supplements called prebiotics which are also said to aid digestion.
  •  It is also used for skin nourishment. Sea moss contains high sulfur, which has beneficial bacteria, and antiviral and antimicrobial functions. Therefore it is considered to have healthy bacteria that balance the skin microbiome.
  •  Irish Moss is widely used for treatment purposes. It helps you fight back against thyroid gland inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
  •  Taking sea moss in your food will also reduce your everyday skin aging. Because of its gel form, sea moss can also be used for thickening soups, stews, and drinks.
  • About 12 percent of women aged 15-44  have trouble getting or staying pregnant in the United States. The Irish sea moss is a powerhouse that can speed up the process of getting or staying pregnant. Sea moss has iodine, Vitamin B, calcium, and zinc, which at normal levels help a woman in her pregnancy period.
  •  Irish sea moss is a mucilaginous food that helps to soothe your gut microbiota and gut microbiome and helps stool move from the gastrointestinal tract easily.
  •  Sea moss contains too much iodine and potassium iodide, which is beneficial for thyroid health and proper thyroid function.
  • Some people cannot have foods rich in iodine, zinc, and amino acids because they are allergic to that food. So they can easily consume sea moss and do not have to look for alternative medicine to fulfill the nutrients in their body.

3. Side Effects Of Sea Moss

Sea Moss Side Effects You Need To Know About

If you are unaware of the side effects of sea moss and include it in your food menu and continue for a few days, it might make you feel sick, and then you will regret it later. So, it will be good to know the side effects of sea moss before getting into any trouble. 

Without the knowledge of the negative effects of sea moss, it is not good to consume it. 

No scientific evidence is available to date that tells the exact safe dosage of sea moss gel, sea moss powder, or pills that keep your body healthy. In some people, sea moss supplement side effects have also been observed. Hence it is important to be aware of sea moss side effects.

Here are some points listed below for informational purposes. This list will be helpful for you to understand sea moss’s negative effects.

3.1. Side Effects Of Sea Moss: Too Much Iodine Content

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Photo by Joe on Unsplash

Adding too much iodine to your diet can lead to goiter 1and even thyroid disorders. These issues may even require surgery to resolve. It may also degrade your gut health.

3.2. Side Effects Of Sea Moss: Pills In Pregnant Women

expecting mother nature background
Image by rmt from Pixabay

Consuming sea moss pills in excess has severe side effects for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. No research has found how it interacts with a fetus or newborn infant. However, it has been found that sea moss side affects the newly born child.

According to professional medical advice, pregnant women should take 1-2 tablespoons per day, adding around 4 to 8 grams of sea moss to their diet.

3.3. Side Effects Of Sea Moss: On Thyroid Hormones

If you are already taking medication for your thyroid hormones, including iodine, then you have to stop taking sea moss. Red seaweed has high iodine levels, which boosts metabolism in the human body. Taking excess of sea moss in your food means raising iodine levels in the body and can lead to hyperthyroidism2, underactive thyroid, or even thyroid cancer.

3.4. Side Effects Of Sea Moss: On Blood Pressure Patients

man using digital blood pressure monitor
Image by Gerald Oswald from Pixabay

There are certain side effects in patients whose blood pressure fluctuates frequently. Sea moss is a marine vegetable that is capable of lowering blood pressure. So before consuming sea moss, check the blood pressure of the patient.

Some people are confused with the question, does sea moss interact with medications? Yes, it does. It interacts with medications resulting in making your blood thinner.

Consume sea moss only if the patient has high blood pressure or taking blood pressure medications. It also causes slow blood clotting. Therefore, it is good to reduce unnecessary blood clotting in the body. Even in case of low blood pressure, it is not recommended to consume.

3.5. Side Effects Of Sea Moss: On Skin

Well, sea moss has antibacterial properties, but some people’s bodies do not react properly to sea moss and can end up having an itchy throat or frequent allergies and nausea3.

3.6. Side Effects of Sea Moss: On the Digestive System

If sea moss is taken daily, the carrageenan present in sea moss can trigger inflammation and GI tract ulcers 4and may even damage the digestive system. Taking excess sea moss may lead to abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It is also observed that stomach pain is a very common issue due to excessive consumption of sea moss.

4. Conclusion

It’s important to note that while sea moss offers potential benefits, individual responses can vary. Additionally, scientific research on many of these potential benefits is still ongoing, and more studies are needed to fully understand the extent of sea moss’s effects on human health. If you’re considering incorporating sea moss into your diet or health routine, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s appropriate for your individual needs and health status.

While iodine is essential for thyroid health, excessive iodine intake can lead to thyroid dysfunction. Excessive consumption of iodine-rich sea moss may negatively impact thyroid function, especially for individuals with thyroid issues. Some individuals may be allergic to sea moss5 or other seaweeds. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Sea moss can absorb heavy metals from its environment. It’s important to source sea moss from reputable suppliers to minimize the risk of heavy metal contamination.

If you don’t know the benefits or side effects of sea moss, you should never add it to your food menu. Contact your medical professional to know the benefits of sea moss and check the labels to avoid any ill effects. Add sea moss only after consultation with your healthcare provider.

FAQs

1. Can I consume sea moss daily?

A. Moderation is important with any supplement. Consult a healthcare professional to determine an appropriate dosage for your needs.

2. Does sea moss have antiviral properties?

A. Some studies suggest that sea moss extracts may have antiviral properties, but more research is needed to confirm this.

3. Does sea moss have antiviral properties?

A. Some studies suggest that sea moss extracts may have antiviral properties, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Read more

  1. Knobel, M. “An overview of retrosternal goiter.” Journal of Endocrinological Investigation 44.4 (2021): 679-691. ↩︎
  2. Wiersinga, Wilmar M., Kris G. Poppe, and Grigoris Effraimidis. “Hyperthyroidism: aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, complications, and prognosis.” The lancet Diabetes & endocrinology 11.4 (2023): 282-298. ↩︎
  3. Zhong, Weixia, et al. “Mechanisms of nausea and vomiting: current knowledge and recent advances in intracellular emetic signaling systems.” International journal of molecular sciences 22.11 (2021): 5797. ↩︎
  4. Abbass, Aamer, et al. “Giant gastric ulcers: an unusual culprit.” Digestive Diseases and Sciences 65 (2020): 2811-2817. ↩︎
  5. De Agostini, Antonio, Pierluigi Cortis, and Annalena Cogoni. “Monitoring of air pollution by moss bags around an oil refinery: A critical evaluation over 16 years.” Atmosphere 11.3 (2020): 272. ↩︎

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Authors

Susanta Biswas
Apeksha soni
  1. your article effectively informs readers about the potential side effects of sea moss. The mentioned additions could further enhance its value by providing sources, dosage guidance, alternative options, and a brief mention of possible benefits.

  2. The conclusion wisely suggests consulting with healthcare professionals and conducting thorough research to make informed decisions about incorporating sea moss into one’s health routine. Overall, it serves as a valuable guide for individuals considering the inclusion of sea moss in their diet, promoting a cautious and informed approach to its consumption.

  3. valuable information on sea moss, highlighting both its benefits and potential side effects. The detailed breakdown of sea moss’s nutritional content and its reported advantages, such as supporting digestive health, boosting the immune system, and aiding in weight management, adds credibility to the article. Furthermore, the inclusion of potential side effects, including iodine content concerns, effects on thyroid hormones, and digestive system issues, serves as a useful guide for readers considering incorporating sea moss into their diet. It emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before making dietary changes.

  4. Sea moss has become a topic of discussion for health and fitness enthusiasts as it has tons of benefits for it’s nutritional value and active ingredients. However, it has side effects too. The article explains the benefits and adverse side effects of sea moss. It is true that we must be aware of the adverse side effects before adding it to our diet. The article starts by explaining the basics of sea moss and its benefits, including digestive health, immune system boosts, skin nourishment, weight loss and heart health. We also learn about the other side of sea moss in terms of side effects that can create critical health issues such as skin problems, thyroid issues, affecting gut and blood pressure, affecting pregnant women, and some more. In a nutshell, this is an excellent article to educate us about sea moss and a reminder to check before having sea moss in our diet.

  5. Even though eating sea moss can come off as something unusual to many, this article does a great job in educating them and lets us know the nutritional values of sea moss. Overall, it is a great guide for people who want to incorporate it into their diet.

  6. It was a new information for me that sea moss has such a high amount of iodine that even a slight overdose of it can cause stomach pain or in worse cases a prolonged illness. A very informative piece regarding sea moss’ side effects.

  7. I wanted to learn more about sea moss and it’s benefits so I am glad I came across its side effects too. I was aware that it helps in weight reduction but only learned from this article that it also benefits our skin. Such a well written article about sea moss, its benefits and side effects.

  8. Sea moss has gained attention among health and fitness enthusiasts due to its rich nutritional content and active ingredients, offering numerous benefits. The article discusses both the advantages and adverse effects of sea moss. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these side effects before incorporating it into our diets. This article serves as an informative guide on sea moss, reminding readers to assess its implications before consumption. Very informative and an easy read at the same time!

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