Available across the coasts of North America, Europe, and the Atlantic ocean, sea moss is one of the widely used sea vegetables.
Groups of tribes living along the coast like the fishing communities have been using sea moss for multiple purposes; for generations. It is an indispensable part of their livelihood.
Sea moss is a buzz in the market today, available in various forms such as health drinks to beauty products. Research is being conducted every day to identify its scope of usage in other areas as well.
Sea moss benefits for adults are widespread, and its products have found markets around the world. Its scope for babies and the multiple ways it can be used; has not garnered much attention yet.
Research is being done to harness multiple benefits of sea moss and incorporate it into baby products.
This article aims at understanding sea moss and its benefits and how it can be used for babies as well as adults.
Also, sea moss claims to have nutritional values, not found in the traditional sources of foods.
Let us analyze in-depth what exactly is sea moss and answer the question, “Is it worth the hype?.”
What Is Sea Moss?
Sea moss, botanically classified as Chondrus crispus, is colloquially identified as the Irish moss because of its prevalence across the Irish and European seas.
The geographical distribution of the sea moss is widespread, ranging from the Atlantic coasts of North America, Europe, Japan, Jamaica, and multiple small-island-developing states, and has the advantage of being readily available across the year.
Sea moss has a spine-like appearance and belongs to the category of protists.
They are soft and cartilaginous in fresh conditions; and are available in colors like purple, green, red, and yellow.
Among these, the most commonly used variety is the Golden sea moss.
This variety of sea moss is found across the warmer seas of the world. They are mostly used for commercial productions in the beauty industry and the health industry for nutritional supplements.
There is usually some confusion between sea moss and seaweed. However, there is nothing to fret about as both are algae-like formations and have similar nutritional properties. In some places, the red sea moss is also referred to as seaweed, and the most famous example is nori.
The beauty and health market is thronged by products made out of sea moss.
It is being marketed as a miraculous formulation for various ailments and cosmetic conditions. Various manifestations of sea moss include:
- The celebrity sea moss smoothie
- Sea moss gel for supple skin and vibrant hair
- Sea moss soap formulations for soft looking skin
- Sea moss health capsules
- Health drink or protein drink
- Forms the export basket of small island countries with seaweed coastline
Nutritional Value of Sea Moss
Sea moss has been in the food charts of homo sapiens for ages unknown. But what is most intriguing is that sea moss remains an enigma.
Not much is known about it in the continents. However, research provides more interesting benefits associated with sea moss every day.
Sea moss is like the elixir of life for its mind-blowing results in the reversal of Parkinson’s disease amongst patients. It is loaded with vitamins and essential nutrients that its list goes on.
Sea moss is a great source of vitamin b12, which is the only known plant source for this vitamin since it is found in plenty only in eggs and meats. This becomes one of the reasons for vegans to rejoice!
Other vitamins such as B2, C are found in decent concentrations. It is also loaded with calcium, iodine, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, and whatnot.
Iodine in sea moss makes it even more beneficial for it aids in improving concentration amongst children and also in thyroid conditions. Other vital elements in it aid in bone and joint development and brain development for kids.
Some of the other exciting benefits from sea moss consumption are:-
- It promotes great immunity and helps in strengthening it.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc amongst us, which attacked our body’s immunity and weakened it.
Starting to include sea moss directly or in the form of supplements can work wonders. - Weight loss and weight loss-related diets are always in trend.
Though sea moss is the latest trend, it has definitely turned out to be the superfood for fitness enthusiasts.
Since it is loaded with more than ninety vitamins and minerals, it is an all-in-one package. - Our body’s metabolism is what triggers the weight loss response.
Since thyroid hormones are required for the metabolism to function properly, the iodine-rich sea moss triggers it, thus aiding faster and healthier weight loss.
Recommended Reading: Sea Moss Benefits And Side Effects
Sea Moss Benefits For Babies: Is Sea Moss Good For Babies?
Mothers take extreme caution regarding babies and baby food. It is always beneficial for babies to be fed breast milk for the first six to twelve months.
However, recent discoveries and research have identified nutrients in sea moss; that can make wonders for babies as well as adults. So there is one major question among mothers – can I give my baby sea moss?
Sea moss has innumerable health benefits and is considered a superfood; by many communities. Sea moss can be a superfood for babies and can be integrated into formula feeds.
Like the greens, the sea moss may be appalling for children to eat, and they might skip it altogether.
But, there are ways to feed them and make them eat sea moss.
Children, as young as a month or two, can be introduced to sea moss by breastfeeding mothers. Lactating mothers can eat sea moss and babies can be fed with breast milk.
The vegan and alkaline versions of baby milk have been researched today, which includes sea moss as one of the ingredients. However, its efficacy and reliability are yet to be proven.
There is an ongoing debate whether sea moss is safe for consumption by infants. Sea moss is rich in iodine content and has been considered an excellent source for iodine-deficient babies.
Is Sea Moss Safe For Babies?
Since it is a natural ingredient, it is loaded with vitamins and minerals and can aid healthy development for your bundle of joy.
Sea moss for babies is always recommended to consume in moderation to avoid any adverse reactions.
Sea moss for babies and sea moss for toddlers would make a healthier food option for your little rockstars.
It is definitely beneficial to start including sea moss as one of the options when you start with solids. Also, its rich iron content would help in the assimilation and healthy production of blood.
Formula-based foods; come with multiple synthetic ingredients, which have been considered the base for many ailments in later ages.
Being plant-based and natural, sea moss can aid in holistic development for babies and their good health. So this answers the question, is sea moss safe for children and is sea moss safe for toddlers, with a big yes!
Sea Moss Preparations To Look Out For
You would be in awe with permutations and combinations with which sea moss products are made today. Its customer base includes just both lovely babies and mothers to nonagenarians.
Sea moss capsules as supplement foods, sea moss gels for glowing face and skin.
Sea moss is packed with calcium and makes a portion of lovely food for kids.
Babies can be introduced to sea moss foods in the form of soups and porridge.
So, can babies drink sea moss?
Yes. It is common for kids to hate greens, but you can make sea moss in a tasty manner because of the goodness it is loaded with.
Sea moss milkshakes are also a great way to make babies have them.
Sea moss ice creams are a big hit and can be one of the ways to enjoy sea moss apart from the traditional forms.
Babies are prone to get injuries often, and when they start using their knees to crawl, sea moss-based gels are great for application for it has incredible healing properties.
Sea moss baby formula is another great way for mothers to make for their babies. However, it is always advisable for you to have a word with your pediatrician.
Dosage Recommendation
The great Buddha once said, always choose the middle path. Anything too much or too little indeed turns out to be dangerous or fatal. Also, an age-old saying is that; “
Too much of anything is good for nothing.” This can be used in our daily life, starting from the food we eat, the amount of sleep we get, and the amount of work we do daily.
This applies to sea moss dosages also.
When you are newly introduced to sea moss, it is always advisable to consume it in moderation.
You may even consult with your dietician or physician, or pediatrician for your children.
Since sea moss is loaded with iodine, excess consumption may hinder the working of thyroid glands and cause deficiency diseases.
Dosage And Dangers
Since sea moss was typically consumed only in coastal or island communities, it may suit well for their metabolic conditions.
Despite its rich nutritional package, sea moss poses certain dangers when consumed regularly. Sea moss has an exceptionally high quantity of iodine.
The daily recommended dosage of iodine is 110 mcg for babies aged less than six months and varies up to 150 mcg for adults.
When there is variation in these daily recommended dosages, there are dangers of diseases like hypothyroidism and conditions like Hashimoto’s disease.
Our seas have turned out to be dump yards for power plants and other wastes.
This has made it into a heavy metal dump yard as well. Thus, with sea moss, there is the problem of heavy metal contamination as well.
Conclusion
Although currently in the research phase, nutrient-rich sea moss is considered to be a safe and healthy option to feed your babies.
However, moderation is the key. If your child is fussy about consuming this superfood, you can try different ways to prepare a healthy meal for your little one.
Sea moss, which gives us steel-like strength and glass-like skin, is definitely a superfood and cannot be possibly avoided.
It is definitely safe for everyone, from babies to adults. However, the key here is to maintain a balance and never overdo it to avoid its wrath.
