You already know how much I love to dig deep into all things health and wellness….but I have to admit I sometimes feel like I’ve reached my limit. There’s only so much healthy stuff a girl wants to learn about or maybe, just maybe, integrate into her already more-than-full arsenal of things that keep her from falling apart. Am I right?
That’s why it took me way longer than it should have to pay attention to sea moss. I mean, to be completely honest, when I first heard about sea moss a few years ago I had visions of the little mermaid using it as bedding in some aquatic version of memory foam mattresses. Sea moss as a food or health supplement? Pfft.
What little I knew about this stuff was that it was definitely good for you. But why? And how? I had no idea. It took me getting sent a few jars of sea moss from The Transformation Factory to make the decision that maybe I really should give this stuff a whirl (straight into my smoothies)!
So…what is sea moss and why is it so good for you? Let’s talk about it….
Sea moss, also known as Irish Moss (or chondrus crispus if you’re nasty) is a marine algae native to the coasts of North America and Northern Europe. While it’s considered a low calorie food, it is impressively high in nutrients and contains 92 of the 110 essential trace minerals our bodies use to keep us in optimal shape such as magnesium, sulfur, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. It also has a decent amount of protein (about 6 grams in a serving), fiber, antioxidants, carotene, folate, riboflavin, and iodine. Not bad for an otherwise nondescript blob from the sea.
With all of those health supporting compounds, it’s no surprise that sea moss is beneficial for a wide range of things such as gut function. A recent study in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Journal showed that sea moss has prebiotic properties that help support the gut microbiome and help eliminate less beneficial bacteria. People who use sea moss on a regular basis tend to feel more “regular” themselves and report less intestinal upset, constipation, and issues with digestion.
Sea moss has also been shown to support healthy thyroid function, and because it is so rich in heart healthy minerals and anti-inflammatory properties, it can assist with regulating blood pressure and keep your heart working as it should!
Since it’s also a good source of Vitamins C and A, it’s great for keeping your immune system boosted, and when used topically, it makes a soothing, hydrating and nourishing face mask. As a matter of fact, sea moss used on your skin helps to balance oil production, and protects your skin barrier. End up with a little sunburn? Well, sea moss is good for that too.
If you struggle with coarse hair that tends to be dry like I do, you’ll be just as happy as I was to find out that sea moss is a really effective hair-hydrator. You can use it as a hair mask, leaving it on for half an hour (or longer) before jumping in the shower and it will naturally condition your strands and promote their elasticity.
All of these benefits have made adding sea moss to my nutritional line-up a no-brainer and using it is super simple. I knew that if I was going to incorporate something else into my diet, it would have to be quick and easy, because mama is busy. Very busy. Aren’t we all??
Now let’s talk about how to use this stuff. Sea moss typically comes in gel or powder form, but I love the gel from The Transformation Factory because all I have to do is scoop out a spoonful and add it to my smoothies. Their sea moss actually tastes good too, so in a hurry, I can just eat a quick serving of it right off the spoon.
Since I keep my sea moss refrigerated, I can also use it to wake up my tired face in the mornings by using it as a quick and effective mask (or even just under my eyes because…well…exhaustion is real in the adult-hood!).
Other ways to use it? I’ve been told it’s great in soups, stews, and even in your coffee!
So my verdict is in, sea moss is pretty great….easy to use, super beneficial, and it multitasks (just like me ha!). Give it a try and let me know what you think too!
**header photo by Lisa Fotios @pexels
**As an affiliate, I make a small portion of some of the sales made via some of the links in my blog.
