Does Sea Moss help with Weight Loss?

Sea moss is a variety of edible red algae or seaweed that is rich in carrageenan, which is used as a thickener in foods. This dietary seaweed is gaining popularity in the media for its association with weight loss.

Everyone wants to be in good shape. But the extra fat stored in your body ruins your appearance, especially around your belly and thighs. It does not stop there.

The excess fat continues to accumulate in your body and leads to detrimental health effects, including heart disease. As per global research, in 2016, 39% of adults around the world were overweight.

Another recent research reveals that nearly 2.8 million people lose their lives every year as a result of being obese or overweight. This shocking info drove people to engage in various weight-loss programs to shed the extra fat.

Even though losing weight may sound exhilarating, it can be challenging without the right support or consistency. There is an abundance of weight-loss products or techniques on the internet.

You have to be cautious about what suits you and what does not. How can you do that? It is by gaining sufficient information about the product and making a choice after analyzing its suitability on your body.

This is helpful even when choosing a natural compound. We have collected all-important details about sea moss so as to guide you in making a better choice.

What is Sea Moss?

Sea moss is a red seaweed with the scientific name Chondrus crispus. It is commonly found on the North Atlantic coasts of Europe and America and is also known as Irish moss.

Sea moss is widely known for its thickening and stabilizing properties in the food and cosmetic industries. Carrageenan is a gelatinous carbohydrate highly found in sea moss.

People who are allergic to gluten can safely consume sea moss as it is free from gluten. In addition, it is also suitable for vegans.

The substance is packed with minerals, namely magnesium, calcium, iodine, and iron. Sea moss promotes the health of your bones and immune system. Since it contains magnesium, it supports muscle and nerve function.

The alga helps in balancing your hormones and maintaining a healthy thyroid. As it acts as a detox, people use it in homes for treating coughs, bronchial infections, and sore throats.

The calorie content is low in sea moss, so it functions as a soluble fiber and works well for weight loss.

How Does Sea Moss Work for Weight Loss?

Sea moss supports weight loss in these three ways:

Promotes fat-burning by enhancing metabolism

Sea moss revs up the fat metabolism in the body and elevates the breaking down of excess fat into energy. Evidence suggests that it can increase the fat-burning capabilities of brown adipose tissue.

You may wonder how this tissue may help in reducing fat. The brown adipose tissue plays a significant part in the production of heat, which melts away stored fat in the body.

Sea moss also lowers the absorption of fat and the formation of fat cells. All these benefits belong to the presence of carrageenan in sea moss.

Regulates your appetite

Carrageenan is a soluble fiber found in sea moss. It absorbs water and expands into a gel-like substance, which creates a fuller feeling in the stomach. Thus, the compound lowers your appetite and prevents you from overeating.

Hunger can be a trouble in your weight-loss efforts. If you keep on engaging in exercise programs to lose weight without taking care of this concern, then all those efforts will go in vain.

This is because you will binge eat sooner and consume all the calories that you tried to burn in your gym not long before. Sea moss curbs your hunger and slows your digestion so that you have control over your calorie intake.

Modulates a balance in the gut microbiome

Recent research reveals a linkage between gut health and obesity. When there is an imbalance of gut bacteria in the digestive tract and intestines, your gut will then be unable to absorb nutrients, which will lead to many health complications, including obesity.

Sea moss helps in regulating gut microbiota by enhancing gut-friendly bacteria. Carrageenan is prebiotic that supports your gut health.

Health Benefits of Sea Moss

Sea moss is rich in nutrients such as selenium, algin, iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and essential fatty acids that provide many health benefits.

Supports a healthy digestion

The prebiotic effect of sea moss is beneficial for your digestive health. Sea moss regulates your digestion and helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract by balancing your gut microbiome.

As it is rich in fiber, it lowers bowel-related problems, particularly constipation. By nourishing your gut health, it maintains a healthy digestive system.

Promotes thyroid health

There is a requirement of iodine in your body for the production of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for regulating metabolism and heart health. But iodine can’t be created in your body.

You have to consume iodine to enjoy its benefits. Sea moss is a rich source of iodine. Thus, it promotes your thyroid health.

Build muscle and support muscle recovery

Sea moss contains amino acids that help to build muscle. The amount of protein in sea moss strengthens your muscle and aid in muscle recovery. Its anti-inflammatory properties prevent muscle soreness. Athletes find sea moss helpful as it relieves joint and muscle pain.

Improves your immune health

Sea moss has been traditionally utilized to treat infections. Its antitumoral effects prevent your body from different kinds of cancers while enhancing your immunity. The compound acts as a detox and eliminates toxins from your body.  

Supports your heart health

High levels of cholesterol in the body threaten your heart health. The dietary fiber in sea moss lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in your body, thereby supporting the health of your heart. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Enhances your energy

Sea moss is rich in iron, which enables you to remain energetic and improves your mood. You may have faced the common problem of feeling tired and exhausted during workouts.

This fatigue hinders your weight-loss processes. The iron content in sea moss prevents you from both mental and physical fatigue. By consuming it, you can be effective in your intense exercise programs.

Improves the health of your hair and skin

Since sea moss is rich in minerals, it is widely used to improve your skin — the nutrients found in sea moss help to retain moisture in your skin and offer anti-aging effects.

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Sea moss help to protect your skin. Sea moss also promotes hair growth and strengthens your hair.

Sea Moss Dosage

Sea moss is available for usage in different forms in the global market. You can purchase it in capsules, dried form, powder, and gel. Some people directly include sea moss in their foods.

But it is best to make smoothies with dried sea moss and drink them. You can take one teaspoon of the powder daily. The recommended dosage of sea moss is one to three grams per day.

Who Should Not Take Sea Moss?

Sea moss is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that promote your overall well-being. But it may not be suitable for some people concerning their health condition.

There is no evidence suggesting that pregnant women can consume it. Thus, it is not advisable for pregnant women and lactating mothers to take it. If you are sensitive to seafood and sulfur, you should avoid taking sea moss.

If you are under any thinning blood medication, you have to avoid it since it has anticoagulant properties. People who are under any medication should consult their doctor and seek their advice regarding its consumption.

Potential Side Effects of Sea Moss

Sea moss should be consumed in a manageable amount daily. If taken more than the recommended dosage, the excessive iodine content in sea moss may lead to thyroid-related problems.

Sea moss may have side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, throat problems, and fever. While buying sea moss, you have to ensure the quality of its manufacturing as it absorbs pollution, which supports the inclusion of heavy metals.

Final Thoughts

Sea moss is a polysaccharide that promotes weight loss. It is a red seaweed that is rich in carrageenan, which helps to suppress your appetite and regulate your cravings.

It aids in burning fat by regulating your gut microbiota and promoting your metabolism. Sea moss hinders the production of inflammatory cytokines and helps to reduce inflammations in the body.

Its detoxifying properties cleanse toxins found in different parts of your body. If taken in the right quantity, it can provide you with many health benefits.

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