The Internet Is Obsessed With Sea Moss – Here’s Why

Sea moss isn’t part of most people’s weekly shop, but this marine vegetable is making waves on TikTok. There are over 1.3 billion searches for the term and more varieties than you can imagine, from smoothies to supplements to gummies. All the wellness warriors are doing it, including Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian – but what is it and does it actually work?

Sea Moss: Is this Viral Health Hack Worth Adding To Your Diet?

What Is Sea Moss?

Sea moss, also known as Irish moss or red seaweed, is a spiny sea vegetable found on the coastlines of the British Isles, Ireland and Jamaica. It grows in several colours, most commonly red, yellow, gold and purple, but rarer varieties can be found in blue or green. 

The vegetable is naturally low in calories, fat and sugar, and it contains a small amount of protein as well as vitamins, minerals, iodine and antioxidants. Its taste is ‘salty and oceany’ for some and ‘fishy’ for others with ‘a slick, slimy texture’ – delicious…

However, a recent study by MyFitnessPal found that only two percent of TikTok diet and nutrition trends are accurate, while 57 percent of Gen Z TikTok users are influenced by health trends on the platform, so you’d be right to feel skeptical. Is sea moss just another ‘miracle cure’ with no evidence – or is it something you should add to your diet?

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What Are The Benefits?

Sea moss is alleged to have many benefits – thyroid health, immunity, skin nourishment, energy levels, even your sex life – but note the word ‘alleged’. Healthline says: ‘it’s important to note that many of the benefits of sea moss specifically are anecdotal and lack solid scientific evidence’. More concrete research has been done on seaweed, which grows in a similar environment, but scientists are yet to fully investigate and verify the health benefits of sea moss. 

That being said, research published in the BMJ suggests that sea moss could be beneficial for the microbiome due to its high probiotic content and ability to improve the composition of microbes in the gut. However, this study was only conducted on rats, so the effect on the human microbiome is still uncertain.

Iodine is not produced by the body, so we have to consume it for healthy growth and brain development. The high iodine content of sea moss could therefore support thyroid and brain function. A 2021 review did discuss the possibility of using polysaccharides (found in sea moss) to treat neurodegenerative diseases, but this research is still in its infancy. 

There is limited scientific evidence that sea moss improves your libido or improves your skin, but similarly to other seaweeds, it contains many vitamins and minerals – like vitamin A – which support reproductive health and nourished skin. Simon Ranger, founder of the Seaweed Health Foundation told The Times: ‘it suddenly has a huge following, but there’s nothing nutritionally that sets it apart from other seaweeds’.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Before taking sea moss for any medicinal purposes, you are advised to consult a GP, particularly if you suffer from a thyroid condition. Excessive consumption of the iodine contained in sea moss can lead to thyroid dysfunction.

There is also a risk of toxicity. If sea moss is harvested from polluted waters it may contain heavy metals like arsenic, mercury and lead, which are damaging to your health.

Due to the mass popularity of this product, a counterfeit variety has also entered the market – consumers are warned to look out for a price too good to be true, inconsistent quality, an artificial taste, no taste at all or bright, unnatural colours. 

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How Can You Incorporate It Into Your Diet?

Sea moss comes in a multitude of different forms. One of the most common is a gel which you can consume directly (if you don’t mind the fishy taste) or add into food and drinks to mask it with a different flavour. 

You could also sprinkle powder into yoghurt, porridge or smoothies if you like the sound of an ‘oceany’ breakfast, or take it in the form of a supplement pill. 

The Final Word

Sea moss might be TikTok’s latest obsession, but its benefits are more hype than science for now. If you’re curious, try it in moderation but don’t expect to cure your immune system overnight.