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. If you don’t know what are the side effects of sea moss, you should not add it to your diet.
Every health care provider is recommending their patients to take sea moss along with their other food products. They advocate for adding sea moss because of its numerous benefits and 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 overdose of any substance.
We have listed below some benefits of sea moss and some sea moss side effects.
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 a red seaweed. Sea moss is also called Irish sea moss. Sea moss is a sea vegetable, which is edible. Eating sea moss is similar to leafy sea vegetables like kelp or dulse.
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.Â
 The Benefits Of Irish Sea Moss
Sea moss benefits adds nutritional value to the human body and improves health. Here is a list of some top health benefits of Irish Moss.
- Irish 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.
- Â Sea moss will boost your immune system. Sea moss also contains supplements called prebiotics which are also said to aid digestion.
- Â It is also used for skin nourishment. Sea moss contains high sulfur, which has beneficial bacteria, antiviral and antimicrobial functions. Therefore it is considered to have healthy bacteria which balances skin microbiome.
- Â Irish Moss is widely used for treatment purposes. It helps you in fighting back against thyroid gland inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Â Taking sea moss in your food will also reduce your everyday skin ageing. Sea moss can also be used for thickening soups, stews, drinks because of its gel form.
- About 12 percent of women of ages 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 in  normal levels helps a woman in her pregnancy period.
-  Irish sea moss is a mucilaginous food which helps to soothe your gut microbiota, gut microbiome and also helps stool move from the gastrointestinal tract easily.
- Â Sea moss contains too much iodine and potassium iodide which is quite beneficial for thyroid health and proper thyroid function.
- Some people cannot have foods rich in iodine, zinc, and amino acids because they have an allergic reaction to that food. So they can easily consume sea moss and do not have to look for alternative medicine to fulfil the nutrients in their body.
 Side Effects Of Sea Moss
If you are unaware what the side effects of sea moss are and include sea moss in your food menu and continue for few days, it might make you feel sick, and then you will regret it later.
There is no scientific evidence available to date, that tells the exact safe dosage of sea moss gel, sea moss powder, or pills which keeps your body healthy. Here are some points listed below for informational purposes.
 Side Effects Of Too Much Iodine Content
If you add too much iodine to your diet it can lead to goitre and even thyroid disorders. These issues may even require surgery to resolve. It may also degrade your gut health.
According to studies on animals, it is found that sea moss gel has benefits for pets. It helps the respiratory problems, but it can also relieve pain in the digestive tract.
 The Side Effects Of Sea Moss Pills In Pregnant Women
Consuming sea moss pills in excess have severe side effects for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. No research has found how it interacts with a fetus or newborn infant. Thus, it can also cause side effects to the newly born child. Although, according to professional medical advice pregnant women should take 1-2 tablespoons per day, which is adding around 4 to 8 grams of sea moss to your diet.
 The Side Effects Of Sea Moss On Thyroid Hormones
If you are already taking medication for your thyroid hormones which include iodine in it, then you have to stop taking sea moss. Red seaweed has high iodine levels which boost metabolism in the human body. Taking excess of sea moss in your food means raising iodine levels in the body and can lead to hyperthyroidism, underactive thyroid, or even thyroid cancer.
 The Side Effects Of Sea Moss In Blood Pressure Patients
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. Consume sea moss only if the patient has high blood pressure.
 The Side Effects Of Sea Moss In Skin
Well, sea moss has antibacterial properties, but some people do not react properly to sea moss and can end up having an itchy throat or frequent allergies and nausea.
 The Side Effects of Sea Moss In The Digestive System
If sea moss is taken daily, the carrageenan present in sea moss can trigger inflammation, GI tract ulcers and can even damage the digestive system. Taking excess sea moss may lead to abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Summary
If you don’t know what are 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. Sea moss benefits some people’s bodies. But sea moss benefits may vary depending on the health condition of people and may suffer from serious side effects.
So choose wisely your food products with sea moss after you have reached out to your health care provider.
Any information found on the site does not constitute legal or medical advice. Should you face health issues, please visit your doctor to get yourself diagnosed. Icy Health offers expert opinions and advice for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
