Diving Into the Sea Moss Trend: Are There Health Benefits?

If you keep an eye on the latest health and wellness fads, you’ve likely seen sea moss on your TikTok feed (yes, the sea moss and The Coconut Cult trend) or noticed it gracing the shelves at your local Whole Foods.

Sea moss began to grow in popularity among health and wellness enthusiasts during the early days of the pandemic when the world was searching for ways to boost their immunity. The trend has only continued to gather steam, with many people reaching for the spiny sea vegetable to tap into its health benefits.

Curious about trying this salt-water wellness trend? Let’s dive into the potential benefits of adding it to your diet.

What Is Sea Moss (and What Does It Taste Like)?

Sea moss is a type of seaweed, or algae, primarily found on the rocky coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean, from North America to Europe. It’s notable for its variety of colors, ranging from green and yellow to purple, red, brown, and even black.

Initially, sea moss made its mark among health enthusiasts as a vegan gelatin alternative for desserts like puddings and jellies. Nowadays, it’s commonly consumed as a dietary supplement.

However, it’s worth noting that sea moss has a distinct taste that may remind some of fish, which might not be to everyone’s liking. The good news is that many flavored sea moss products are available for those who prefer to avoid the natural taste. When it comes to supplements, sea moss is often found in a gel form, which has a consistency like that of applesauce or jelly.

5 Potential Health Benefits of Sea Moss

While the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve sea moss as a supplement, the early research seems promising.

For example, in some preliminary studies, researchers have demonstrated that the properties found in sea moss could help treat and prevent Parkinson’s Disease by slowing its symptoms.

Despite the growing interest in sea moss, Alesia New, a certified nutrition specialist and licensed dietitian/nutritionist, advises caution. She emphasizes the need for more extensive human studies before we can definitively label sea moss as a “superfood.” New points out that most existing research on the health advantages of sea moss generally pertains to seaweed or algae, rather than sea moss specifically.

Nonetheless, sea moss is associated with several potential health benefits, including:

1. High Fiber Content

Sea moss contains more fiber than most vegetables. Adding this additional fiber to your diet could aid in gut health and weight loss.

2. Can Support Weight Loss

The higher fiber content in sea moss may support satiety and, ultimately, weight loss and management. The more fiber in your diet, the fuller you feel after eating.

3. Good Source of Vitamins

Sea moss is an excellent source of several vitamins, including Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Chromium, Magnesium, and Zinc; it’s also vegan and gluten-free.

4. High in Iodine

Iodine is one of the vital elements of having healthy thyroid function. Iodine also aids in cognitive function and fertility health. Your body doesn’t make iodine on its own, so you need to source it through your diet. If you don’t get iodine from sea moss, you’ll likely get it from dairy products, other seafood, or iodized salt.

5. Can Boost Immunity

The vitamins found in sea moss can help boost your immunity and contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce your risk of infection. The iron and antioxidants found in sea moss are especially helpful for improving your immune system.

Simple Ways to Incorporate Sea Moss into Your Diet

While you may not want to scuba dive to source your own sea moss, there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into your diet: powders, liquids, gummies, capsules, and gels. You can add different types of sea moss supplements to your water, beverages, and food dishes or simply take them by themselves.

Additionally, some people use sea moss topically in the form of creams or lotions for an added benefit to their skin.

3 Potential Downsides of Sea Moss

We’ve talked about the benefits of sea moss. But before you dive in headfirst, consider the possible side effects of taking the sea veggie.

1. Iodine Overconsumption

It’s important to be mindful of your sea moss consumption, as ingesting it in large quantities could result in an excessive intake of iodine. An overload of iodine in the body can cause an enlargement of the thyroid gland, a condition referred to as a goiter.

2. Heavy Metals

Sea moss can absorb some of the heavy metals in which it grows. While having small amounts of these metals in your system isn’t toxic, it’s essential not to overconsume them.

3. Unpleasant Taste and Texture

Sea moss supplements’ distinctive flavor and texture are worth mentioning as potential drawbacks. While seafood and sea-derived supplements are known for their substantial health benefits, the pronounced fish-like taste and gelatinous consistency of sea moss can be off-putting for some individuals.

The Bottom Line

Although sea moss research is in its infancy, early research shows it could be a valuable supplement to your diet. The key is to follow dosing instructions, listen to your body, and talk to your healthcare practitioner before trying anything new.

Looking to improve your health and feel your best? Schedule a complimentary call with an Arootah Health Coach to learn how we can support your unique goals and needs.