Is Sea Moss Safe While Pregnant?

You may have heard of pregnant women swearing about the health benefits of sea moss. But, “food from the sea” are often cautioned by many health experts and doctors. This is due to concerns about mercury (heavy metals) and excessive levels of iodine.

Pregnancy is a time of great joy, but it also comes with many health concerns. During this period, being careful with what you do and what you eat is of paramount importance.

In this article, we will discuss whether consuming sea moss while pregnant is safe or not. Below, we included key information about Irish moss.

Including nutrition facts, benefits, dosage recommendations, and much more.

But, before we dive into the details, let’s first understand…

Why Is Sea Moss Considered A Superfood?

There’s a good reason why sea moss is often dubbed a “superfood”.

Made from the red algae species known as Chondrus Crispus, this Irish seaweed contains high levels of minerals. These are minerals that are difficult to find in food nowadays.

Here are some of the minerals you can find in sea moss listed (some of these minerals are fantastic for diabetics):

Iron

The most abundant nutrient found in sea moss is iron. Iron is required for the production of healthy red blood cells in both you and your baby.

During pregnancy, many women experience anemia, a condition in which they lack healthy blood cells. Blood cells, you need to transport oxygen to your body’s tissues.

When this happens, you may experience a range of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and much more. Luckily, the benefits sea moss can provide iron intake can help prevent and even treat anemia during pregnancy.

Potassium

Another essential nutrient found in sea moss is potassium. The mineral aids in the regulation of fluid balance inside and outside your cells, which is critical for blood pressure and heart health. This is necessary to support the increased blood volume throughout pregnancy.

Zinc

A deficiency in zinc can lead to delays in growth and development of your baby, as well as increased risks of infection. According to research, sea moss provides enough zinc to meet the requirements of pregnant women and their babies.

Iodine

Another essential nutrient in sea moss is Iodine.

Good thyroid function is crucial for your metabolism and the proper development of a baby’s brain.

This is why most women are required to take iodine supplements when conceiving. Furthermore, Iodine also helps with milk production.

Calcium

Consuming sea moss help strengthen bone health, especially when pregnant. The sea plant known to be rich in calcium, helping prevent osteoporosis. And other bone-related issues during pregnancy and beyond.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for the formation of strong bones. It also benefits your health by promoting kidney function, tissue repair, and other vital body functions.

Manganese

If you happen to take sea moss while pregnant, you’ll also be getting a healthy dose of manganese. This is important for bone, cartilage, and muscle development in your baby.

Selenium

Sea moss supplements are also rich in selenium, a mineral that helps protect you from sickness and disease. Your metabolism and thyroid function is also supported by selenium.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your baby’s brain and eye tissue development. And It’s also a nutrient for maintaining your own health during pregnancy.

Vitamins A. B and C

The benefits of sea moss don’t stop at minerals. The seaweed is also loaded with vitamins A, B, and C—nutrients that are crucial for your overall health. Vitamin A is what aids in vision, growth, reproduction, and cell division development. Vitamin C gives your immune system a boost. Vitamin B is an important antioxidant, and the folate in it helps for a healthy pregnancy.

Indeed, sea moss is packed with a wide range of nutrients. However…

Is Sea Moss Safe While Pregnant? The Answer

Yes, sea moss is certainly safe during pregnancy and can provide a range of important benefits. Although sea moss will contain some mercury (as does all sea flora and fauna), the levels are low and considered safe to consume.

Sea moss comes in different forms, including:

• Sea moss gel

• Sea moss capsules

• Sea moss gummies (Links to our best sea moss gummies guide)

• Sea moss powders

• Dried sea moss

While there are different types of sea moss (Irish sea moss, Jamaican sea moss, Guso, etc.).

The nutrients and health benefits remain largely the same. During pregnancy, our hormones are changing and some may even experience high blood pressure.

Taking sea moss will help regulate this, while also nourishing your body with essential nutrients and minerals.

To ensure you get quality sea moss, purchasing from a reputable supplier is important. When selecting a product, look for one that is certified organic and free of additives or preservatives.

Additionally, be cautious when buying this product since many are now selling fake sea moss. Real sea moss is thin and expands over 3x its size after soaking in water. On the other hand, fake sea moss is dense, and thick, and won’t expand even after soaking.

Now that you know this kind of sea plant is safe for pregnant women, let’s find out…

How Much Sea Moss Is Safe to Consume During Pregnancy?

Consuming two to four tablespoons of sea moss per day should be plenty to reap all the benefits of sea moss without any risk.

You shouldn’t take any more than this amount, as taking too much sea moss can lead to unpleasant side effects such as:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Thyroid problems
• Cramps

You can implement sea moss into your diet in a variety of ways. Some popular recipes include smoothies, soups, and even tea. You can also add it to your meals as a garnish or add it to your favorite salad for extra nutrients and flavor.

When pregnant, a wide range of side effects can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Nausea, headaches, and frequent urination are just some of the side effects that

you may experience while pregnant. But…

Does Sea Moss Reduce Morning Sickness?

Although there is no hard proof that sea moss can help reduce morning sickness, it does contain Vitamin B6 and calcium, which help with nausea.

But, sea moss doesn’t have high levels of these nutrients. It cannot cut the symptoms of morning sickness, but it may help to ease them to some extent.

Some mothers find that eating sea moss or drinking sea moss tea can also help to combat the symptoms of morning sickness.

Gracilaria (sea moss) also helps with:

• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Headaches.

However, for those who are just trying to conceive…

Does Sea Moss Help With Fertility?

It’s not only pregnant women who can benefit from eating sea moss. You might have heard that sea moss can help with fertility, and there’s some truth to this.

According to the USDA, a 100-gram serving of sea moss contains 182 micrograms (mcg) of folate. That’s close to half of the daily recommended intake of 400 mcg during pregnancy.

Folate is an important nutrient that plays a crucial role in fertility and preventing birth defects. This means that eating this sea plant helps support your fertility.

Also, zinc is another important mineral that’s found in sea moss. Zinc has been studied in animals for its impact on egg quality. As such, many healthcare experts recommend that those who are trying to conceive should get more zinc in their diets.

Sea Moss For Men

The evidence for sea moss being a male aphrodisiac is mostly anecdotal or based on animal studies. So it’s hard to say for sure if sea moss can help with testosterone levels and sperm count.

But, the nutrients in this plant may help promote a healthy diet. Which aids in the treatment of issues that do contribute to male infertility, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Takeaway

Sea moss surely has many health benefits, particularly for those who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

This article has touched upon some of the most important things to know about this amazing sea plant. Including the nutrients it contains, the safety concerns of taking it while pregnant, and how it can help with fertility.

We hope that this information has been helpful. And we encourage you to talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about sea moss and its effects.

We also have a video overview that you can watch below, if you happened to scroll this far without reading. (Yes you!)