Sea moss is a name used for several edible red seaweeds, including Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), that has been a staple superfood and natural remedy in Ireland, the Caribbean, and Jamaica for centuries.
Better late than never, it has recently come to North Americans’ attention that sea moss offers numerous health benefits. The seaweed has gained such incredible popularity that it is now featured widely on health and wellness TikTok and Instagram accounts and endorsed by multiple celebrities.
But this big buzz comes with many myths, hoaxes, and fake data. Unfortunately, many of these misconceptions about sea moss can lead to misusing this superfood.
So, it’s time to debunk 5 of the most common myths about sea moss! After reading this article, we hope you'll be more aware and comfortable about integrating this wonderful alga into your diet.
Related article: 18 sea moss benefits for your health and wellness.
Myth 1. Sea Moss Tastes Bad
A common myth about sea moss is that it has a horrible taste. But that is only sometimes true.
As you may know, sea moss can be consumed in different forms, including raw, dried, gel, capsules, gummies, or powder. While plain raw or dried sea moss may have a strong ocean taste, plain gel can be much milder. Capsules offer a convenient swallow-and-go option, and our gel, gummies, and collagen powders offer delicious fruit or dessert-inspired flavors.
Raw sea moss tastes like the ocean. After all, it's seaweed. For many people, it reminds them of the earthy flavor found in oysters or clams. Besides, it can be very salty.
Food-grade fresh sea moss can have a soft, gelatinous texture. Our sundried sea moss is prepared by cleaning, rinsing, and soaking according to its package directions. Then you can add it to salads, soups, salsa, and dips, or experiment with cooked recipes and its interesting texture.
Related article: 10 tasty sea moss recipes to try today!
But if you don't like this fishy-salty taste of raw sea moss, it does not mean you can't enjoy and find gustatory pleasure while taking your new superfood and health supplements.
Sea moss gel is the best alternative. You can enjoy sea moss in a smooth, versatile preparation with a milder flavor.
The gel is obtained by cleaning and rinsing the sea moss, soaking it according to its preparation directions, and blending it with fresh water. During the process, much of the saltiness and ocean taste disappear, leaving sea moss gel almost tasteless.
Related article: 4 easy ways to make sea moss gel at home!
For our Mango-Pineapple gel, enjoy the listed two-tablespoon (30-gram) serving, following your container’s directions. Plain, mild-tasting homemade gel easily incorporates into food and drink recipes with a subtle flavor of its own.
You can also purchase or prepare fruit-infused flavored sea moss gels. Besides, sea moss gel is a great plant-based substitute for gelatin and is often used as a thickener in desserts and creamy recipes. Choose plain gel for savory dishes and fruit-flavored gel where its tropical taste fits. You can add sea moss gel to smoothies, juices, cheesecakes, salad dressings, soups, and more!
Sea moss capsules let you enjoy a convenient routine without tasting the seaweed. They're made with fine sea moss powder precisely dosed and encapsulated. At Organics Nature, our sea moss capsules are enriched with Bladderwrack and Burdock root in one convenient blend.
Related article: What does sea moss taste like?
Myth 2. Sea Moss Health Benefits are Exaggerated
Sea moss has played a major role in traditional Irish and Caribbean medicine for centuries. It’s been a natural remedy for many civilizations throughout history.
Sea moss’s long food tradition and its natural nutrient variety give us plenty to appreciate. Nutrients such as iodine have an important role in normal thyroid function, and researchers also study seaweed compounds and their potential uses.
Our guides explore popular questions about diabetes and blood-sugar care, weight management, fertility and nutrition, heart health and blood pressure, skin care, anxiety and depression, digestion, viral infections and immune-health research, and mucus and respiratory questions. Keep care for a diagnosed condition in place as you explore sea moss as part of your eating routine.
You can find more detailed information, nutrient explanations, ingredient research, and practical advice in our related articles.
Related article: The right way to use sea moss for weight loss.
Myth 3. Sea Moss is Like Carrageenan Extract
Another popular myth about sea moss is that it is just like carrageenan extract. However, sea moss is different from carrageenan extract.
Carrageenan is an extract obtained from red types of seaweeds, including but not limited to sea moss. U.S. regulations permit food-grade carrageenan as an emulsifier, stabilizer, or thickener under specified conditions. It is also used in cosmetic formulations.
When reading about carrageenan and digestive health, the preparation matters. Food-grade carrageenan and degraded carrageenan, such as poligeenan, are different materials; poligeenan is not an authorized food additive. Researchers evaluate the different preparations separately, so their names and the study conditions help you understand what a finding means.
Carrageenan extracts are processed to concentrate the gel-forming polysaccharides. Whole sea moss also contains other components of the seaweed, so choosing it gives you a different food ingredient from a purified extract.
In any case, whole sea moss is a different ingredient from carrageenan extract. Carrageenan is one of the gel-forming compounds in certain red seaweeds, including Irish moss, while the whole seaweed also offers its own mineral and nutrient variety. Species, preparation, and serving size all help shape what ends up in your recipe.
Related article: The complete list of minerals and vitamins found in sea moss.
Myth 4. You Can Eat as Much Sea Moss as You Want
This myth about sea moss is a dangerous one. The increasing popularity of this superfood makes every blogger and influencer want to have a say in it. But not everyone is a sea moss expert, and most people don’t actually know how to take sea moss.
While sea moss can significantly benefit your health if taken wisely, it can also be harmful when overly consumed. Like most things - too much sea moss is not good.
One important reason to follow the serving directions is iodine. Seaweed’s iodine content varies with species and preparation. Iodine is an essential mineral, especially for normal thyroid function. Because the body cannot make it, we get it from foods and other dietary sources. Some U.S. table salt is iodized to help provide it.
Too much iodine can disrupt thyroid function. So, just because sea moss is natural does not mean bigger portions are better. Consider other iodine sources in your diet and any supplements too.
Keep it simple: use the serving directions on your chosen product. If you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medication, a clinician can help you fit sea moss into your routine and consider iodine from all sources.
Related article: Find out how much sea moss you should take daily.
Our Mango-Pineapple Sea Moss Gel lists two tablespoons (30 grams) per serving. Enjoy that serving as directed on your container, and use the label for your particular gel, capsule, gummy, or powder. Learn more about choosing your routine and potential side effects in our related article.
Related article: The truth about sea moss side effects.
Myth 5. Sea Moss is a Magic Cure
Finally, another common myth about sea moss we do not endorse at Organics Nature is that it's a magic cure for any sores and health conditions. It's simply and purely not true.
Sea moss does not treat or cure your health problems by itself like a magic potion. Sea moss brings seaweed’s nutrient variety and culinary versatility to your routine. Like any food or supplement, it fits best alongside a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet.
There you have it - 5 of the most common myths of sea moss explained and debunked. Unfortunately, there is so much information now on the internet about sea moss that it became hard to tell the truth from the hoax.
If you have any questions about sea moss, please leave us a comment below. Our team of experts is always here to help!
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Ready to find your favorite way to enjoy sea moss? Explore Organics Nature’s sea moss products!