Sea moss benefits and side effects

What is sea moss?

Sea moss, or Chondrus crispus to give the plant its scientific name, is a type of edible algae or seaweed. It grows in tufts in the waters along the rocky coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, and has thin, fan-shaped fronds. While you can find green, yellow, purple, brown, and black sea moss, the most common variety is red. Also called Irish sea moss, it’s this kind that you’ll usually see in supplements and other products. The seaweed is impressively rich in nutrients, meaning that consuming sea moss benefits your wellbeing in several potential ways.

Interestingly, there are some culinary sea moss benefits too. The plant is a natural source of carrageenan, which producers use to thicken foods like ice cream and vegan milks. So you might have consumed this seaweed without even realising it! If you want to enjoy the benefits of Irish sea moss, the most effective method is to add the plant itself to your diet. But what is sea moss good for? Let’s dive in and find out.

What is sea moss good for?

Research into how sea moss benefits our health is still in its infancy. However, so far, the outlook is very positive. One of the most famous benefits of sea moss is that it’s a fantastic plant-based source of iodine.(1) This is a trace mineral that’s necessary for your thyroid to function healthily. The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones which help regulate our metabolism, so it’s vital that it works well.

Another way in which sea moss benefits our energy levels is by helping us to consume more iron. This mineral is crucial for building haemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body and helps fight fatigue. Irish sea moss is additionally rich in several other minerals – including calcium, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus – as well as antioxidants.(2) These all play valuable roles in keeping us fit and healthy.

Seaweeds like sea moss are also high in fibre, and act as a prebiotic.(3) This means they nourish the good bacteria in your gut, promoting a healthy and diverse microbiome. That’s great news because the health of your gut influences much more than just your digestion. In this way, eating sea moss benefits everything from the immune system to brain health.

And that might not be the only way in which Irish moss benefits immunity. Studies suggest seaweed contains phytochemicals which improve immune modulation and response.(4) However, further investigation is necessary to confirm this.

Moreover, research indicates that seaweed like sea moss benefits heart health by acting as a blood thinner and reducing cholesterol.(5) It could also help to manage blood glucose levels thanks to a compound called fucoxanthin.(6) Again, however, we need further study to clarify these findings.