Description
What we call Irish moss is a type of algae with several nutritional and general health benefits. It is high in calcium, iodine, and potassium, which makes it very beneficial to your health.
Possible Benefits
- May help treat cold symptoms
- May strengthen bones and teeth
- May protect against cell damage
- May help to improve digestion
- May strengthen the immune system
Required Equipment
Fresh, dehydrated or powdered Irish moss
How to Do It
There are several ways to consume it:
- You can prepare an infusion.
- Cut small pieces of algae and soak them for approximately 30 minutes. Then you can use it as a vegetable. You can add it to salads, soups, creams. Keep in mind that it has a strong taste, so it should not be used in very high quantities.
- Prepare a gel. To do this, take some fresh Irish Moss (about 30 grams) and soak it. Leave it until it is soft enough. Then blend with water for 1-2 minutes at high speed. If you want it to be thicker, add very little water. And that's it! You can keep it for up to a week in refrigeration. You can use the gel in smoothies, thicken your meals, or in other recipes.
Why it works
- It is high in calcium, so it is ideal for strengthening bones and teeth. In addition, calcium is also used by the body for other important health processes.
- It has a high concentration of chlorophyll and flavonoids, which help protect cells from damage caused by the body's functioning.
- Irish moss has a high content of soluble fiber, which helps improve the digestive process. Very useful for treating constipation.
- Its high content of amino acids, vitamin C, potassium, and certain antioxidants, making it a food that may strengthen the immune system.
Time Commitment
10-20 minutes
Suggested Frequency
3-4 times per week
Time of Day
Any
Possible Side Effects
Overconsumption of Irish moss can cause an excess of iodine in the body, which can lead to thyroid disorders.
It can interact with some medications, so you should consult a doctor before using it regularly.
Not recommended during pregnancy
Notes
- Irish moss has been called a "superfood" because of its high nutritional value.
- It is useful when you want to detoxify your liver.
- Irish moss has been used in some skincare products, you can search if you are interested!
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Carrageenan: a natural seaweed polysaccharide and its applications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24708958
- Assessment of the effects of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from the red seaweed Irish moss Chondrus crispus on the immune-stimulant activity in mussels Mytilus spp. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1050464818300767?via%3Dihub
- Amino acids, peptides, and proteins of Irish Moss, Chondrus crispus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13563510
- Algae as nutritional and functional food sources: revisiting our understanding. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5387034/
- Prebiotic effects of diet supplemented with the cultivated red seaweed Chondrus crispus or with fructo-oligo-saccharide on host immunity, colonic microbiota and gut microbial metabolites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26271359
- Neuroprotective Effects of the Cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans Model of Parkinson’s Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413210/
