Sea moss is an essential for many health enthusiasts thanks to its array of health related benefits. Sea moss gains its signature red color from the high carrageenan content which is a polysaccharide that is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in many different foods.
It’s also rich in various minerals such as iodine, calcium, magnesium and iron which are important for various parts of the body including thyroid functionality, healthy bones, building muscle and transporting oxygen.
Sea moss should only be taken in small doses due to the high iodine content as too much intake can cause problems such as intestinal pain and discomfort. It has often been used as a weight loss supplement but is most commonly used to treat sore throats and congestion due to its iodine content.
Although sea moss has been known to help with weight loss, does it actually suppress appetite?
We’ve gathered all the information you need so you’ll have a better understanding of whether including sea moss into your diet is the right thing for you.
Does sea moss gel suppress appetite?
The first thing to note about sea moss is that it is low in calories and high in carrageen which already can assist in losing weight.
It also has other properties relating to weight loss that are important to consider such as regulating your appetite, influencing fat metabolism, modulating your gut’s friendly bacteria and increasing feelings of fullness.
Carrageenan is an interesting compound as it has a gelling ability that the body can’t digest which means that it acts as a soluble fiber in your digestive tract which can create that feeling of fullness.
Soluble fibers are gel-like substances that have the ability to absorb water and slows the digestion process by increasing the rate of food movement through the digestion tract which delays the rate the stomach empties its contents.
This leaves you feeling fuller for longer and can encourage you to eat less and there is a lot of research to indicate that having a regular soluble fiber intake can promote healthy weight loss when consumed correctly.
A lot of animal research has been done into sea moss’ effects on weight loss as it has proven to lower dietary fat absorption, reduce the creation of fat cells, increase the breakdown of stored fat and promote the fat burning effects of brown fat tissue. There is more human research needed to validate this conclusion but the research thus far sounds extremely promising.
When it comes to human research, a 12 week study across 78 adults with obesity saw that supplementing 1,000 milligrams of sea moss per day helped to significantly reduce body weight and overall body fat mass. This appears to be in line with the animal research and shows how hugely beneficial sea moss supplements can be.
Sea moss also contains plenty of prebiotics which is a fiber that acts as food for your gut’s friendly bacteria. They can help to regulate energy expenditure and storage which in turn can assist in managing weight loss.
Although there is much research to be done with humans on the matter, animal research has shown that sea moss can increase friendly bacterias such as Bifidobacterium breve whilst also reducing the rates of harmful bacterias such as Clostridium septicum and Streptococcus pneumonia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sea moss supplements can be hugely beneficial to your health and can assist in reducing the appetite to help regulate weight loss.
With an array of benefits that are noticeable from the inside out, sea moss should only be taken in small doses each day. This is because it has a high iodine content which can prove to be harmful if too much is consumed.
Iodine toxicity can interfere with other medications such as blood thinners. If you are taking other medications, always consult a doctor or other health professional before taking any sea moss supplements to prevent any problems from happening.
There has been research to show that excessive iodine intake can lead to conditions such as goiter, thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism so it is always important to follow the instructions provided on the bottle carefully to prevent this from happening.
Other side effects can include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience any of these then stop taking the supplements immediately and consult your doctor or health professional to discuss alternatives.
Overall, sea moss supplements can encourage you to lead a healthy lifestyle but it is essential that you are taking the required amount in order to reap its benefits. If you are in doubt about anything then consulting a doctor or health professional is always best before making any decisions.