So I am guessing you have already learnt about the types of sea moss, their potential benefits and now you were looking for a blog post that consisted only of the after-effects of sea moss.
Well, this blog post is specifically on sea moss side effects.
Still, if you wanna know why there is so much fuss about sea moss (also known as Irish sea moss), here’s something that might interest you.
Sea moss has become a popular, but less-well-studied dietary supplement.
Sea moss has become a staple for those on the organic and superfoods diets, due to its potential as an alternative to other vegetables that one may be allergic or sensitive to – such as kombucha or spirulina. However, there haven’t been many.
Regardless of what anyone says, it is now considered a superfood. And with great power comes great responsibility and also certain downsides.
In the health niche, it’s even harder to trust a product before consuming it.
There are many theories surrounding sea moss and it is not easy to trust which one is correct.
That is why I have gathered and compiled all the information regarding the aftermath of consuming sea moss.
Table of Contents
What Is Sea Moss?
Sea moss is an umbrella term to specify various species of seaweed.
There are 2 main species of sea moss:
- Genus Gracilaria (Jamaican Sea Moss)
- Chondrus Crispus (Irish Moss)
They are further comparisons between them based on their color and one such comparison is Purple sea moss vs Golden sea moss.
Main types of sea moss products:
- Sea moss powder
- Sea moss pills
- Raw Irish sea moss (Common sea moss)
- Sea moss gel
- Dried sea moss
- Sea moss flakes
The type of sea moss we are talking about in this blog is Chondrus Crispus sea moss.
Chondrus Crispus is also known as Irish moss.
Irish moss is a red seaweed that grows in the sea and it’s known for its potential health benefits for human beings.
The species is typically found on the Northern Atlantic coasts of America and Europe, specifically in Canada, Ireland, and Iceland. (2)
It has been used as a drug since ancient times because it was believed to have healing properties.
But people also consume this alga, not just use it as medicine but actually eat them or drink their extract form.
It has a high nutritional value consisting of minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients. (3)
I have covered everything in detail about the main types of sea moss in a different article, you can have a read.
I also have already covered in an article all the amazing benefits of sea moss. Hence, I won’t be discussing the benefits here in this blog.
What Side Effect Really Means?
I know this is a very generalized topic to discuss today. But it is crucial for us to understand the meaning of side effects.
Side effects are health issues when you consume something and it doesn’t suit your body.
Side effects can also happen when you consume a particular drug or food beyond its prescribed quantity.
Everything in this world has a pro and a con. There are health supplements, capsules, protein powders and so much more than boost your health.
Even if you consume those beyond a certain limit, you will probably see the after-effects after consuming those products as well.
Side effects can vary from person to person. It depends on your overall health factor. What you eat, how much you eat, how much you sleep, how much you sleep, and so on.
But some will say, hey Dhiraj I have heard Sea moss, including carrageenan, for example, has various adverse effects.
To question the knowledge of sea moss safety in an experiment, the expected side effects need to be taken into consideration or even what type of unforeseen consequences may occur with prolonged consumption or usage.
Irish sea moss is comprised of a variety of factors contributing to its composition and health benefits.
Is Carrageenan Harmful?
Before we jump on to the potential sea moss side effects, I’d like to tell you a few things about Carrageenan.
Sea moss side effects are not very well studied yet, but there is a myth that eating sea moss may lead to carrageenan side effects that would be harmful to your health and it’s time we break this old misconception!
What is Carrageenan exactly and why am I talking about it today?
Well, most people think that just because sea moss is harmful because it has carrageenan extracts.
Carrageenan is a thickener and stabilizer for foods, found in many processed products like ice cream.
It can also be used as an emulsifier, gelling agent as well as a stabilizing agent.
Irish moss is harvested because of its high extract of carrageenan. As discussed in the above paragraph, Irish moss contains Lambda carrageenan.
Scientific evidence suggests that lambda carrageenan is different from raw carrageenan.
Since sea moss will provide health benefits for the human body, companies are exploiting it to ramp up production.
Why?
So that they can get carrageenan out of it. As they know raw carrageenan has side effects compared to carrageenan found in Irish moss.
So with this, I hope I was able to clear out the misconceptions surrounding carrageenan found in sea moss.
What Are The Side Effects Of Sea Moss?
Sea moss is a type of red seaweed. There are more than 1000 species of seaweed.
Sea moss may trigger allergic reactions and detoxification. You may only experience side effects during the initial course, but this isn’t uncommon. After a high intake of Irish sea moss, there are many possible side effects.
These symptoms vary from person to person so it’s important for you to be aware of them before taking in any food with these ingredients!
I will break down the possible sea moss side effects for you. Let’s jump right in.
Thyroid Inflammation
Most of the side effects caused by sea moss are due to the presence of iodine. (1)
If overlooked, it can lead to thyroid cancer. (2), (3)
According to academic research institutions, seaweeds Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta accumulate the highest concentration of Iodine.
People have complained about an itchy throat after several weeks of taking sea moss.
The iodine concentration in sea moss depends on a lot of factors such as where they are grown, what methods have been used for their harvesting, and whether proper care was taken or not.
A healthy dose of iodine is important for your overall health, but too much iodine in your daily diet can have an adverse effect on your thyroid function and your overall thyroid health.
One of those side effects is Hyperthyroidism can happen to people who are taking excess sea moss without realizing the side effects.
This side effect occurs when the increase in iodine boosts your thyroid hormones and creates an overproduction of them.
Di-Iodothyronine, a product of the natural breakdown of T3 (thyroid hormone) found in sea moss has been used for years as an alternative treatment for many thyroid disorders.
DIT is can have its health benefits in treating thyroid problems as discussed in the benefits of sea moss blog.
Gastrointestinal Effects Due To Sea Moss
It’s a pretty confusing world we are living in.
Sea moss is beneficial for improving your gut.
It has anti-inflammatory properties suggesting that these properties support weight loss.
On the other hand, it can also cause problems for your gut health by directly attacking your gi tract which affects your gut microbiome.
I will stress again and again the fact that overconsumption of anything will lead to its aftermath.
It doesn’t matter whether you take powdered sea moss or sea moss in gel form–overconsumption will lead to negative effects on your digestive tract.
Symptoms include
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Belching (Burping)
• Abdominal cramps
Sea moss affects bowel movement. As a result, people can feel constipation from time to time.
Recommended Reading: Is Sea Moss Keto Friendly?
Bloating
Although sea moss supports weight loss, a side-effect that can happen if you are taking or consuming too much sea moss is bloating due to improper digestion and absorption of food by your gut.
Also since sea moss contains dietary fiber, it affects your appetite.
You won’t feel hungry hours later after the consumption of sea moss.
That’s one way to look at it. Why do I say this?
Because that’s how sea moss helps you lose weight.
This is just one of the many sea moss benefits from a list of many benefits.
It all depends on the intake quantity of sea moss.
If you have been taking sea moss and feel bloated, then it is best for you to stop the consumption of this superfood and visit your doctor immediately!
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is also one of the prominent negative effects of sea moss when you take it in a very large amount.
Diarrhoea is a scary symptom in the gut that causes your stomach to suffer.
When this happens, it needs to be expelled immediately
If not, then it will directly affect your gastrointestinal tract.
Sea moss acts as a laxative unfortunately and gives us diarrhea symptoms even when we are not sick. If you have consumed sea moss recently then please stop until any illnesses subside so that rehydration can take place properly.
Intake of sea moss may lead to stomach cramps and then eventually diarrhea.
Side Effects Of Sea Moss On Skin
Sea moss has been recognized for its impressive abilities to remedy skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. ( Read more at Sea moss benefits for skin)
Using sea moss gel on the face has been a beauty care treatment for many people.
So why there are side effects appearing on the skin?
The side effects show up as inflammation or lesions on your skin which is a result of an inflammatory response to this food additive!
It can also lead to constant itching on your skin.
These side effects can be attributed to the iodine content in seaweed, which is also known as a natural remedy for many skin problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Now, what about side effects that are specific to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, be cautious about the content of nutritional supplements. The type of nutrition a woman has will impact the fetus’s development positively.
Sea Moss is majorly a side-effect-free food for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
But there are side effects to consuming too much of this superfood!
Some pregnant women may wonder if certain types of sea vegetables are safe to eat during pregnancy. There is a lot of discussion about whether sea moss would be appropriate.
There’s no concrete answer yet. The question becomes harder when it comes down to looking at the specific type and components within this variety in particular because each can have different effects on an unborn baby.
Consuming this sort of red algae and other sea vegetables could lead them to have a miscarriage or other complications with their pregnancies.
Due to a lack of evidence and further research, we still don’t know the full depth of the aftermath of eating sea moss. Hence more research is needed to come to a final conclusion.
High Blood Pressure
The potential problems caused by the sea moss have an impact on a person’s blood pressure.
According to the research, sea moss can act as a potent anticoagulant that has blood-thinning properties. (4)
This marine vegetable is capable of lowering one’s blood pressure if added to their daily diet, which can be done in many different ways depending upon the individual and their needs.
In recent years people have been finding new uses for this simple plant that has long served as a food source around the world; it may soon become clear how much more use there could still be for it!
The negative impact of sea moss for people who are already on medication to regulate their blood pressure are the most concerning.
Low blood pressure introduces its own set of problems.
People who have severely lowered their blood pressure can deprive their body of enough oxygen to carry out its normal functions, damaging the brain and heart.
So Should I Eat Sea Moss?
Although the jury is still out on what long-term effects it may have, there are plenty of benefits most notably improving the immune system and minimal side effects that make this food worth consideration.
Experts seem to agree that consistency with any product will provide more noticeable results than just having an occasional treatment here or there.
But don’t take our word for it! Do some research yourself about whether sea moss is right for you and if so, how often should you consume it in order to see these possible improvements?
So what are my final thoughts?
Adopt healthy habits because no food will cure all your health problems. We all need to be mindful of what we eat and also about our habits.
I believe sea moss is a great source of nutrients. For me, adding sea moss to my daily diet has been beneficial.
If you want to buy sea moss, always make sure that it is wildcrafted sea moss.
It has significantly improved my immune system even during this time of the global pandemic.
It is also good to know that you can easily incorporate it into your diet.
You just need to be mindful of the amount of seaweed in the food or drinks you consume so as not to overdo it with too much at once.
If you found this article helpful, do share it with your loved ones because sharing is caring!
Right here is the perfect website for anybody who would like to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just excellent!