- Sea moss, or Irish Sea moss, is a type of sea algae that people can add to food or take as a nutritional supplement. Sea moss is naturally rich in minerals and vitamins, and may have some potential health benefits with regular use.
In this article, we will discuss the nutritional information of sea moss, how to prepare it, and any potential benefits and side effects.
Sea moss typically refers to a specific type of algae or seaweed called Chondrus crispus, also known as Irish moss. It is a spiny, edible plant, and has some similarities to other edible seaweeds such as kombu, dulse, or wakame.
Sea moss grows naturally in waters and tide pools along rocky coasts, such as coasts of the northern Atlantic Ocean. Common sea moss is a red seaweed, though it can grow in different colors as well, depending on factors such as the local climate and water temperatures.
According to the
- calories: 4.9
- protein: 0.2 g
- fat: 0 g
- carbohydrates: 1.2 g
- sugars: 0.1 g
The same serving of sea moss also contains these vitamins and minerals:
- calcium: 7.2 milligrams (mg)
- magnesium: 14.4 mg
- phosphorous: 15.7 mg
- potassium: 6.3 mg
- iron: 0.9 mg
- zinc: 0.2 mg
- copper: 0.02 mg
- manganese: 0.04 mg
Red seaweeds also have
Similar to other sea vegetables, sea moss is a natural source of the mineral iodine. Research posted to the Journal of Medicinal Food notes that sea moss contains about 47 mg of iodine per gram.
Sea moss has a history of use in cultures close to where the moss naturally grows. Sea moss is a
Some companies still harvest and sell the dried sea moss itself, but it is more common to find sea moss in the form of a dietary supplement.
Supplements may contain sea moss on its own, or with a combination of other ingredients. The sea moss is usually in powdered or gel form.
Some companies may take advantage of the thickening properties of sea moss to create products such as vitamin gummies or gels.
Sea moss may have the same benefits as other types of sea algae, as they share similar compounds.