Pregnancy

Can You Take Sea Moss While Pregnant?

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no cost to you, I get commissions for purchases made through these links.

Sea moss is rich in minerals and vitamins, making it ideal for improving your health. Is this food suitable for everyone? Can you take sea moss while pregnant?

Sea moss comes from different plant species, and all forms are safe to ingest during pregnancy. The plants can help you satisfy your daily nutritional needs.

We’ll go through the many forms of sea moss, its safety and nutrition, and what to check if you decide to buy it. Let’s join us!

What is Sea Moss?

Sea moss is a type of seaweed or algae known as Chondrus Crispus or Irish moss.

This plant is edible. It shares some characteristics with other seaweeds, such as wakame and dulse.

The plant grows in the seas and tidal pools of rocky coastlines, such as those around the northern Atlantic Ocean’s shores.

The typical sea moss is red, although it may grow in different hues depending on the local environment and water temperatures.

Nutritional Content

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), two tablespoons or a 10-gram serving of sea moss includes roughly:

  • Calories: 4.9
  • Protein: 0.2g
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 1.2g
  • Sugars: 0.1g
  • Calcium: 7.4mg
  • Magnesium: 14.4g
  • Phosphorous: 15.7g
  • Potassium: 6.3g
  • Iron: 0.9g
  • Zinc: 0.2g
  • Copper: 0.02g
  • Manganese: 0.04g

Uses

Sea moss is a natural source of carrageenan, a thickening agent. The origin makes it a fantastic addition to stews, soups, and other thickening dishes.

Although some companies still collect and serve dried seaweed, it more commonly comes as a dietary supplement.

The supplements contain the seaweed solely or with other ingredients. They come in gel or powdered form.

Some firms may use the thickening characteristics of the plant to manufacture goods like vitamin gummies and gels.

Sea moss can be an ingredient for your meal
Sea moss can be an ingredient for your meal

Types of Sea Moss

Sea moss comes in various sizes and shapes, with thousands of species to choose from. However, Chondrus Crispus and Genus Gracilaria are the most common nowadays.

1. Chondrus Crispus

The broad fan-like form tips of Chondrus Crispus resemble leaves or flowers. The hue is usually dark purple, but it can be lighter or darker.

This plant only grows on rocks, making it rare. Thanks to this characteristic, you will feel certain about the origin.

2. Genus Gracilaria

This seaweed has two other names: Jamaican Sea Moss or Jamaican Moss. It belongs to the Gracilariaceae family and grows in warm seas.

The seaweed has a fingered, thin appearance. It’s typically golden yellow, but the color may change.

Aside from its high nutrient value, the main benefit of using this species is that it can grow all year. As a result, the cost is low.

Is Sea Moss Safe to Consume During Pregnancy?

Sea moss is safe to eat while pregnant since it contains less mercury and iodine than brown seaweed. The suggestion that this plant can aid in childbirth may be true.

Let’s check the folate first. The amount of folate in a 100-gram serving of sea moss is 182mcg. This amount is over half of the recommended daily dose of 400 mcg.

When you’re attempting to conceive, taking a folate vitamin might help. This vitamin can increase the likelihood of pregnancy and benefit your childbirth.

Zinc, which affects the egg quality of animals, is also available in this food. It’s now common that you should take enough zinc for conceiving.

How about the iodine level? This nutrient can cause hypothyroidism, which makes it difficult to conceive. However, the lack of iodine also matters.

Thankfully, the iodine concentration in sea moss is ideal for pregnant women. You will have a healthy thyroid and avoid hypothyroidism at the same time.

Sea moss is good for pregnant women and babies
Sea moss is good for pregnant women and babies

Benefits of Taking Sea Moss While Pregnant

This famous seaweed has a variety of nutritional and natural advantages. It contains 92 of the total 102 minerals which our bodies naturally produce.

Sea moss also provides nutritional advantages for women and encourages a healthy pregnancy.

1. Folate

Folate promotes the development of red blood cells in the bone marrow and healthy cell development and function.

Pregnant women should take folate to avoid pregnancy issues and minimize their risk of congenital defects like spina bifida.

Folate helps your pregnancy because it:

  • Reduce the risk of congenital brain and spinal impairments
  • Increase the growth of genetic materials
  • Aid in the energy conversion of carbohydrates

2. Iron

The seaweed has approximately 9mg of iron per 100g. You may have heard the importance of iron for growth, so get some leafy vegetables for it.

Iron is also critical for circulating blood and the delivery of oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Compared to a non-pregnant person, a pregnant woman needs twice the quantity of iron. The danger of being anemic will decrease if you consume iron sufficiently.

3. Iodine

Iodine aids in the regulation of thyroid function, which is a tissue in your neck. In turn, the thyroid aids in managing hormones that determine your heart rate, digestion, and other vital processes.

Iodine helps your baby build a healthy thyroid. If a fetus arrives with an undeveloped thyroid, it can cause problems such as developmental delays, deafness, low IQ, and other issues.

Iodine is also beneficial to lactation. Your baby can receive breast milk with iodine.

4. Stabilizing vitals

We all understand how our hormones change during pregnancy, and along with the hormonal rage, childbirth may sometimes raise blood pressure.

According to studies, Sea moss can help stabilize blood pressure and raging hormones.

It can also aid in controlling high blood sugar levels and enhancing our immune system.

Another benefit of this seaweed is its high profile of zinc, calcium, bromide, magnesium, potassium, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, and phosphorus.

Easy-to-take sea moss supplements
Easy-to-take sea moss supplements

Types Of Sea Moss Products and Pregnancy Safety

With so many different types of sea moss and so many varied methods to consume the aquatic plant, determining which ones are safe may be challenging.

Here is a list of some of the more popular and commonly available choices, as well as any safety rules you should follow.

Sea Moss Gel

Although the gel from this seaweed looks like a skin or hair treatment, most of the gels come as a food ingredient.

Purple moss is the most common ingredient to make agar – a gel-like material for thickening sauces. The agar can also work as a vegan gelatin alternative.

People use this gel to make several beverages as well. These drinks are safe to use during pregnancy when produced from pure seaweed.

Keep in mind that they are more intense than dried or fresh seaweed; therefore, serving sizes are essential.

Sea Moss Drinks

You can make tea or latte-style drinks from tea moss like the way you often do with leafy plants.

These beverages are not only safe but also an interesting way to liven up your morning drink when prepared with natural sea moss.

Supplements

To some people, eating the sea vegetables may turn their stomach although they know that the food is beneficial.

While the supplements are tempting, you should conduct thorough research and only buy from reliable third-party certified manufacturers.

Brown seaweeds and kelp in certain seaweed supplements may contain alarmingly high doses of iodine.

Heavy metals may be particularly rich in sea moss-only products, which can accumulate in your body over time.

Avoid supplements that contain 100% sea moss. Or, you should use only reputable alternatives in moderation to be safe.

If you find eating fresh seaweed unpleasant, you can try one of these methods:

Sea Moss Capsules

If you take the seaweed in the form of a capsule, ensure it’s the least quantity possible and from a reliable source, as capsules are more intense.

You can gradually increase it to two teaspoons each day if you want. Start with one 00 capsules per day and then two 00 capsules over the course of several weeks.

Sea Moss Powder

Some people sprinkle powder form of the seaweed into smoothies, juices, cereal, and yogurt. This method has the same thickening effect as the gel form.

pregnant woman meet doctor
Stop using these sea moss products when you notice any problem

Side Effects Of Taking Sea Moss Supplements

When it comes to using this seaweed, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Excess iodine

Most seaweed has a lot of iodine. If you eat a lot for a long time, you could get too much of it.

Although many people can handle higher iodine levels, others are more susceptible to its side effects, such as hyperthyroidism.

This illness can result in weight gain or loss, swelling, and stiffness around the neck.

Anyone who is suffering from these symptoms should stop taking iodine and see a physician for a thorough examination.

2. Heavy metals

Heavy metals are another significant issue, as seaweed acquires nutrients and minerals from the water.

According to research, concentrations of harmful metals like aluminum, cadmium, and lead are often relatively low in seaweed.

While the amounts may be minimal, a person who takes seaweed every day may accumulate toxic metals with time.

As a result, it’s a good idea to make sure your food is organic and from a reputable source.

Frequently Asked Questions

People have a lot of questions when eating this type of seaweed. Here are some of them. Let’s check as you may have the same concerns.

1. Does sea moss help with fertility?

Taking about two to four tablespoons of this seaweed every day is safe, beneficial, and might help women become more fertile thanks to its iodine content.

According to studies, women with low iodine concentrations are 46% less likely to have a child than those with adequate iodine levels.

2. Can you take sea moss and prenatal vitamins together?

Yes, you can. This ingredient is nutrient-dense, containing a wide range of minerals and vitamins. Prenatal vitamins include these nutrients as well. Excess nutrients, on the other hand, are not a problem.

3. How long does it take sea moss to start working in your body?

It may take about 20 to 30 minutes for the capsules to break down and go into effect.

If you need to keep track of your daily iodine consumption, taking a tablet is the safest option to guarantee you don’t exceed the recommended level.

4. Can you drink sea moss every day?

Most of these products are safe to take every day. Most users of Irish moss like to use it in its topical form almost every day for the best result.

Given that you may not see the product’s advantages for several weeks, we suggest including it in your meals once a day.

5. Can this seaweed make you gain weight?

No. Sea moss increases metabolism and aids in the digestion of meals and the development of muscles and weight. Yet, it doesn’t make you gain weight.

On the other hand, because of its high carrageenan content, the product may help you lose weight by promoting feelings of fullness, reducing body fat, and improving your microbiota profile.

Conclusion

Pregnant women can eat sea moss and drink products from this seaweed because they contain beneficial nutrients for both mothers and babies. However, depending on what form of sea moss product you take, the safety varies. It would be best to follow the doctor’s instructions to maximize the effect and minimize the risks.

Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!

Write A Comment

Pin It
0
0
0