Can You Consume Sea Moss While Pregnant? There is a lot of research showing that sea moss is incredibly healthy for you. However, can you consume it while you are pregnant? Is it possible that it will help your pregnancy or can it make you sick and harm you or harm your baby? We are going to dive into the benefits of sea moss, how much you should take and dispelling rumors about sea moss and if it is something you should completely avoid.
What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss, also known as Irish moss, is a red algae. It has the ability to control your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol and helps you lower your chances of heart disease. It has so many vitamins and nutrients that many people like taking it in pill form or by the spoonful to ensure that they are getting what they need.
Why Seamoss Is A Top Choice
It can be hard when you are pregnant to get the essential vitamins and nutrients that you need each day. Some people struggle because of time constraints to prepare nutritious meals every day. Others find groceries expensive and it is hard to pay for all of the food required.
People like sea moss because in a spoonful, you can get a lot of your daily required nutrients that you need. It does not break the bank and the taste is not bad. It only takes a minute a day and is great for the fast paced lifestyle that many people have. Some people add it to food, including salads while others put it into nutritious shakes.
It also does not take up a lot of space. It will not overload your refrigerator if you soak it into a gel. It is compactable and comes in many forms including but not limited to, gel form and you can ingest it in pill form.
Does Sea Moss Help With Fertility
There are no studies directly linking sea moss helping with fertility. However, (1)we found a study that minerals affect menstruation. When a menstrual cycle is not regular (every twenty eight to thirty days), it can be harder to get pregnant. However, when ingesting sea moss, it is helpful when getting the right minerals everyday.
If you have irregular periods, it is important to ask your doctor about adding sea moss to your diet and see if it could help your chances with fertility.
Secondly, we found another (2) 2012 study that states that the intake of dietary folate can help fertility. Sea moss does contain folic acid and has up to half of your daily intake.
Should I Take Sea Moss Instead Of My Prenatal Vitamins
Since Sea Moss has so many great vitamins and minerals during your pregnancy, many people think that they should stop taking their prenatal vitamins since they feel that sea moss is giving them more of their nutrients. However, this is not so. It is important to speak to your doctor about pre natal vitamins and how they can be a benefit for you during your pregnancy.
Though sea mosses are not viewed the same way other sea plants can be, that does not mean you should go against the advice of your doctor.
Sea moss benefits during pregnancy
There are many benefits to taking sea moss during pregnancy. Remember to go over each of these with your doctor first. Your doctor knows your health history and medications that you are taking so you want to make sure you are not taking anything that can counter act with any ailment or medication.
Firstly, when taken in moderation, sea moss is an excellent source of iodine. This can be a great way to get your daily iodine intake as during pregnancy, your recommend iodine intake slightly increases.
Sea moss is an excellent source for almost all of your vitamins and minerals.
Some of our favorite vitamins and nutrients you will find in sea moss include but are not limited to:
Folic Acid
Vitamin B9
Fiber
How To You Consume Sea Moss?
Sea moss usually comes in a package dry for people to consume. What most people do to consume sea moss is leave it in water for two days so it softens. After two days, the sea moss is placed in a blender and a half to 2/3rds a cup of water is added. Blend well until you get a gel like form. Take a teaspoon of the gel sea moss and add it to your food, salads or take the spoonful alone.
You can expect a slight sea taste. People love to blend it with their shakes and teas for a quick start to their day.
Some people prefer sea moss capsules but you have to verify which company you are buying them from and their authenticity.
What Sea Moss Is Best To Use When You’re Pregnant
There are many different types of sea moss that are on the market. They come in many different varieties and colors. Many sea mosses work excellent for your diet while you are pregnant. You want to look for things that 1. do not cause negative effects with your medication. Ask your doctor to help you navigate this with any new food you are introducing to your diet. Secondly, you want to pick something that has folic acid, which helps with fertility and through out your pregnancy.
Lastly, pick something that is affordable for you but is still the authentic product. You want to buy from a healthy centered grocery store or a company that makes sea moss capsules that is reputable. Discuss all of the brands you are considering with your doctor. Include pictures and information about the ingredients and the company. Together, you can make the best decision.
How Much Sea Moss Should You Take While Pregnant
During pregnancy, after talking to your doctor, it is common to take one teaspoon full of sea moss (in gel form) every two days. Alternatively, it is common for you to take a capsule a day during your pregnancy. Use as directed by recommendation of your doctor and the companies directions.
Sea Moss During Pregnancy
Over the last few years, more and more people have been taking sea moss to give themselves more of their daily vitamins and nutrients. Sea Moss is safe to take while you are pregnant. Since different people have different health challenges, diseases, medication and health concerns, it is highly recommended to speak to your doctor before consuming sea moss in a capsule form or by eating. Since you are pregnant, it is always best to consult your doctor and continue taking your prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy.
Be sure to check out our pregnancy posts for more great recommendations, expert advice and blog posts.
References
- Keewan Kim, Jean Wactawski Wende, Kara A Michels, Karen C Schiep, Torie C Plowden, Ellen N Chalijub, Sunni L. Mumford (2018) Dietary minerals, reproductive hormone levels and sporadic anovulation: associations in healthy women with regular menstrual cycles.
2. Audrey J Gaskins, Sunni L. Mumford, Jorge E. Chavarro, Cullin Zhang, Anna Z. Pollack, Jean Wactawski-Wende, Neil J, Perkins, Enrique F. Schisterman (2012) The Impact of Dietary Folate Intake on Reproductive Function in Premenopausal Women: A Prospective Cohort Study.
