After years of failed attempts to achieve the desired weight goals, the world is finally turning towards natural sources.
This has resulted in the upsurge of using sea moss for weight loss. Sea moss is a red seaweed or Irish moss that is commonly grown on the Northern Atlantic coasts of America and Europe.
It is gaining popularity because of its purported multiple health benefits including weight loss. To be honest, this has been the most logical weight loss trend so far.
Because sea moss is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and also contributes to metabolism, it is said to affect the fat-burning process.
While the claims are pretty reasonable, they still need scientific scrutiny because no food item can magically cause you to lose weight.
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Yes, sea moss has the properties that can result in weight loss.
After celebrities like Kim Kardashian raved about its health benefits with #seamosssmoothie, her followers and influencers rattled off its benefits.
Research shows that the red seaweed group is rich in health-promoting molecules like omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins A, B (B1, B2, B9, B12), C, D, E, K, essential minerals (calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and fluoride) as well as dietary fibers.
The fact that sea moss is rich in vitamins and minerals and certain compounds that actively participate in fat-losing properties, makes it a promising weight loss ingredient.
Using sea moss for belly fat reduction is also supported by scientific evidence.
Research studies the Effects of Gelidium elegans on Weight and Fat Mass Reduction and Obesity Biomarkers in Overweight or Obese Adults.
The includes 78 participants who were randomly assigned to consume GEE extract 1000 mg/day and placebo groups at a 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. After evaluation the report shows significant changes in body weight and fat mass.
The study concludes that GEE significantly reduced body weight, especially fat mass, in overweight or obese individuals.
Another study by MDPI suggests that microalgae like Chlorophyceae (green algae), Rhodophyceae (red algae), and Phaeophyceae (brown algae) can reduce body fat accumulation and prevent obesity features.
The bioactive compounds of sea moss have been reported as responsible for the anti-obesity effects. These compounds include such as phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, fucoidans, and alginates.
Conclusively, these clinical trials prove that sea moss can help with weight loss results. However, how the transformation actually happens is more intriguing.
Since people have started witnessing sea moss weight loss before and after transformation and research also supports the same, it is crucial to know what links them.
Interestingly, unlike any other natural weight-loss ingredients, sea moss has more than one characteristic that helps with weight loss.
It starts from the nutritional profile that makes it a superfood and follows through increasing satiety, influencing fat metabolism, to having probiotic properties.
Let’s know the science behind the benefits of using sea moss for belly fat reduction in detail.
One of the primary properties of sea moss that helps with weight loss are ability to increase the feeling of fullness.
Notably, sea moss is rich in fiber and this increases the fuller feeling for longer. There are studies that prove the significant effect of dietary fiber in controlling appetite.
Interestingly, sea moss also includes a bioactive compound called Carrageenan which acts like a soluble fiber in the digestive tract.
Sea moss is high in Carrageenan content and on its consumption, it absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance.
It slows digestion by slowing the rate at which food moves in the digestive tract. This increases the fuller feeling for longer.
The second most considerable effect of sea moss on weight reduction is its ability to boost the gut health and digestion process.
The probiotic effect of sea moss influences the gut microbiota and leads to improved digestion. It is proven that the composition of gut microbiota can influence the risk of obesity.
In an animal study consumption of the red seaweed Chondrus crispus is rich in dietary fiber and oligosaccharides, suggesting multiple prebiotic effects.
This includes influencing the composition of gut microbial communities, improvement of gut health, and immune modulation.
Studies suggest that sea moss can reduce the production of new fat cells, break down the accumulated fat, and enhance the brown fat tissue’s capacity to burn fat.
In a study, carrageenan which is a dietary fiber is found to increase lipid breakdown and fat oxidation. This process can result in a reduction of new fat cells creation and an increase in the breakdown of stored body fat.
Adding to it, another fiber in sea moss called mucilage boosts the metabolism and breakdown of fat cells and burns more calories as well.
Also, sea moss is linked with improving insulin sensitivity and can help with fat reduction leading to weight loss.
The thyroid has a major role to play when it comes to weight regulation.
The thyroid releases hormones that influence mood, metabolism, and weight. Iodine deficiency is linked to slow thyroid function leading to difficulty in managing weight.
Interestingly, sea moss contains Iodine which helps regulate thyroid function. In fact, as mentioned in the European Thyroid Journal, iodine supplied via thyroid consumption can rectify an iodine deficiency rate.
Therefore, it should be noted that iodine can affect the thyroid which can have an impact on the weight loss process.
Sea moss has a strong nutritional profile which includes an abundance of such minerals that are not easily found in such a quantity in any other foods.
Sea moss is rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients are necessary for bone health, oxygen flow, and muscle growth.
Therefore, if you are working out to get rid of excess weight, you might be consuming these in the form of different supplements. Sea moss on the other hand contains all of these nutrients in one place.
Additionally, it also includes numerous bioactive compounds that help with weight loss results and one of them is Fucoxanthin.
Studies show that Fucoxanthin has antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-obesity effect of Fucoxanthin induced a decrease in abdominal fat in mice.
These were some of the ways through which sea moss benefits any women and men in their weight loss journey.
Clearly, the resurgence of sea moss for weight loss effect is an evidence-based practice. Nonetheless, witnessing its health benefits depends on how one actually uses it.
If you are interested in using sea moss for belly fat reduction, you have numerous options to implement its usage.
Sea moss is available in the form of gels, capsules, and gummies. You can also get dried sea moss on various online stores.
If you are using pills and gummies, stick to the recommended dosage.
Nonetheless, if you want to consume sea moss gels, mix 1-4 tablespoons of sea moss gel daily into your smoothies, oatmeal, or whatever sounds good to you.
It is best to start consuming the minimum dosage and increase it gradually to avoid the risks and side effects.
Indeed sea moss is a super food laced with multiple health benefits. Nonetheless, it goes by the line “excess of everything is dangerous for health”.
Notably, sea moss is rich in iodine therefore, it is recommended to be watchful of the quantity you are consuming.
Excessive iodine intake is poisonous and can give rise to many issues related to the thyroid. Adding to it, since it’s a marine food, it may contain toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, and lead.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid consuming sea moss without consulting the doctor.
Importantly, sea moss also has blood-thinning properties therefore, if you are on blood-thinning medications avoid consuming it.
This is why a lot of people who don’t want to take these side effects go for supplements that are specifically designed for weight loss.
Such supplements are clinically tested and include natural ingredients in the quantity that is tested for weight loss reduction.
Sea moss is a nutrient-rich seaweed that can be your best wellness companion. It can not only give the weight loss transformation but also optimize your overall health and well-being.
Sea moss boasts a wide range of health benefits. However, when it comes to weight loss, sea moss can make significant changes.
Though it is not a one-size-fits-all answer, it still has the potential to cause weight loss effects.
By improving the gut microbiota, satiety, fat oxidation, and nutritional needs of the body, it can make adjustments in your weight.
If your goal is to lose weight without compromising your overall health, sea moss is a great choice. To improve its effectiveness, don’t forget to include weight loss-targeted workouts and diet plans.
So are you daring enough to give your weight loss practice a new approach? Let us know in the comment section.