Sea moss is the latest viral wellness ingredient - what are the benefits?
Sea moss sounds like the type of TikTok trend we'd more than often tell people not to waste their money on, filed alongside the likes of chlorophyll water. But experts suggest sea moss could actually be trending for a good reason.
With a new study from scientists at Cambridge University reporting that adding algae into plant based diets can help boost levels of vitamin B12, a nutrient that's typically found in meat, fish and dairy and hard to come by in a vegan diet, it's easy to see why sea moss - a type of algae - is currently a breakout term on google and has over a billion views on TikTok.
'Sea moss is a type of algae or seaweed which is commonly found on the Atlantic shores of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands,' explains Alex Glover, a senior nutritionist at Holland & Barrett. 'It’s known as a red alga, although it comes in many colours, most popularly yellow or gold and purple – you can also find rarer colours such as blue and green.'
As sea moss has grown in popularity, it's start being sold as a gel, a capsule or a powder. 'Influencers and celebrities such as the Kardashians are accredited for boosting the popularity of sea moss to their large audiences. It's now a product which is super easy to purchase from a large number of retailers and brands,' says dietitian Sophie Medlin.
But should you start talking it?
What are the benefits of sea moss?
Source of micronutrients
As the latest study shows, algaes like sea moss may help people who eat a plant based diet. 'Sea moss is a great source of micronutrients such as iron and iodine, which may be low in people following strict plant-based diets,' explains Medlin. Boosting iron is important for energy levels and workout performance, just like the aforementioned vitamin b12. As well as helping you feel supercharged, studies also report that algae is a great source of antioxidants, which can help with general health and functioning.
May be good for gut health
'Seaweeds in general are good sources of bacteria which in turn may improve our microintestinal flora,' says Medlin. A 2021 study reported that seaweed polysaccharides - the molecules that make up carbohydrates - can act as prebiotics, feeding gut bacteria and encouraging growth of the microbiome. 'It is also useful as a source of fibre which is crucial for gut health, but research in all of this area is quite limited,' adds Medlin.
Can boost thyroid function
'Iodine is considered to be beneficial in supporting thyroid health and sea moss is a great source of this nutrient,' explains Glover. However, studies suggest that it's very easy to overdo iodine via seaweed and sea moss, which can be detrimental for health. A 2021 paper concludes that 'although iodine supplied via seaweed consumption can rectify an iodine deficiency state, the species consumed needs to be monitored to avoid too much... producing disorders of thyroid function.'
Medlin advises that 'people who suffer from thyroid disorders (even hypothyroidism), are pregnant or take blood thinners shouldn't eat sea moss because all sources of iodine can affect the thyroid gland.'
Helps get the glow
Online, sea moss has been heralded for its skin boosting benefits, and there may be some truth to that. 'Sea moss contains magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which support skin cell function and could nourish the skin,' says Glover.
What else to know about sea moss?
While sea moss sounds like a brilliant thing to add to your diet, the research hasn't quite caught up with the hype.
'The preliminary findings into sea moss are encouraging and definitely worth being excited over, but products which are fairly new to the market and lack a wealth of human studies should always be treated with some critique until we can be sure of their safety and effectiveness,' says Medlin.
Glover agrees, saying: 'While it is generally thought that sea moss is safe for most of us, it’s still worth exercising some caution. Ensure you choose a reputable manufacturer and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.'
Whether you want to hold fire on the moss for now or start spooning the sea's supplement on the daily, it seems like TikTok was potentially on to a good thing with sea moss.
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