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Sea moss -

Sea moss, sometimes known as Irish sea moss or Irish moss, has been gaining a cult following on TikTok for its purported health benefits.

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Irish sea moss -

Sea moss, or chondrus crispus, grows in the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast in Northern Europe and North America.

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Red algae -

It's part of the red algae family and is found abundantly on the shores off the coast of Ireland. When fresh, its color varies from yellow to red, dark purple to brown.

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Irish famine -

Sea moss was often used as a source of nutrients and food during the Irish Potato Famine of the 1800s, where it was added to milk to provide sustenance.

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Nutrient profile -

Nutritionally, sea moss is low in calories and sugar, and contains a small amount of protein. It contains a nutritious type of healthy fat that may help reduce cholesterol levels.

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Carrageenan -

Polysaccharide carrageenan makes up 55% of its dry weight, while sea moss is also rich in minerals including iodine and sulfur.

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Carrageenan -

Carrageenan from sea moss is extracted and used in the food industry, where the ingredient acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder in products like almond milk, ice cream, deli meats, and more.

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Sea moss gel -

Due to the high polysaccharide content in the cell walls of sea moss, when it's boiled it forms a thick jelly liquid (or gel).

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Not a new trend -

Sea moss has been a part of the human diet for centuries, particularly in Ireland and the Caribbean. Anecdotally, it's been used to help treat health conditions.

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Not a new trend -

Nowadays, Irish sea moss is packaged in several different forms, such as dried, ground, in pills, tinctures, or in jars of the gel itself.

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Claims about sea moss -

Some of the most popular claims about sea moss circulating online include that it can help with everything from weight loss to skin health and low libido.

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Celebrity investors -

Celebrities have been jumping on the sea moss bandwagon, too. Mark Cuban and Kevin Hart invested US$600,000 into a start-up company that sells edible sea moss gel, this back in 2022.

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What do we actually know about it? -

Sea moss is extremely nutrient dense. It contains vitamins A, C, E, and certain B vitamins. B vitamins are responsible for energy levels, while vitamin C supports immunity, and vitamins A and E support skin health. There are a number of claimed benefits about consuming sea moss.

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Reduces inflammation -

Rich in antioxidant content, it's not a surprise that sea moss is claimed to help reduce inflammation, which in turn lowers the risk of chronic disease.

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Thyroid health -

The iodine present in sea moss helps the thyroid function optimally. Iodine is something we have to ingest; our bodies can't make it.

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Gut health - Sea moss could be a way to add more fiber to your diet, which has benefits for gut health. In one study, sea moss was shown to act as a prebiotic in the gut microbiome in animals. However, human tests are needed before this can be confirmed for us.

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Muscle recovery -

The high mineral content of sea moss could make it a valuable support in muscle recovery after exercise. The nutrients contained in sea moss help to build muscles and maintain muscle health.

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Skin health -

The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in sea moss contribute to healthy skin. The sulfur contained in sea moss can encourage collagen production, which is what keeps skin plump and youthful-looking.

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Heart health -

Sea moss is rich in minerals including magnesium and phosphate. These help support heart health by aiding in regulating blood pressure.

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Weight loss - The carrageenan in sea moss is not digested by the body. Instead, it passes through, acting as a kind of fiber. Increased fiber intake could help promote weight loss. The effect of sea moss on the thyroid could also have an indirect impact on weight management. However, there are not enough studies evidencing this claim.

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Increasing testosterone -

For decades, some cultures have used sea moss as a way to boost libido, as it's believed to increase testosterone. Bear in mind, though, that there's a lack of research to back this up.

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Lowering blood sugar -

Some of the nutrients found in sea moss could help with slowing sugar absorption. However, whether or not sea moss blocks certain enzymes that help to manage blood sugar/improve insulin sensitivity has not been proven.

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Flavor -

Unsurprisingly, sea moss can have a distinct, ocean-like taste. Powdered, ground, or gel sea moss could be added to a morning smoothie with ingredients that mask the taste, making it easier to consume.

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A serving per day -

If you're interested in trying out sea moss for yourself to see if there's any truth to these claims, it's best to begin small, with one serving per day.

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Iodine -

Sea moss is a rich source of iodine. Both too little and too much iodine can unbalance thyroid hormones. If you already have thyroid issues, it's best to consult your doctor before taking sea moss.

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Heavy metals -

Sea moss can contain heavy metals including mercury and lead. Make sure to buy it from a brand that follows third-party testing on their products, to ensure you won't be exposed to these metals.

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Research -

The safety and efficacy of sea moss has not been widely researched. In other words, we don't have a lot of evidence to back up the claims made about the product.

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Research -

In the small studies that do exist, the results were promising in animals. These studies from 2015, 2016, and 2019 found sea moss had benefits for enhancing immunity, helping with Alzheimer's, and in cancer treatment.

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The bottom line -

While consuming sea moss is an undeniably popular wellness trend, there's still a lot we don't know about it. A healthcare provider or dietician might be able to offer guidance or recommend a high-quality product.

Sources: (Health.com) (Forbes) (MindBodyGreen) (Today) (CNBC)

See also: What makes seaweed a superfood

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