You may have noticed that sea moss is having its time in the spotlight, and according to experts, for good reason. Taking sea moss as a health supplement has recently experienced a boom in popularity because it is low in calories and fat, and studies have suggested there are a range of potential benefits.
Plagued with questions, we reached out to health experts Heeral Patel, Health and Science Editor at Holland & Barrett, and Angel Farrugia, founder of Myla’s Moss, to learn all about this gift from nature. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we are currently testing sea moss ourselves and will update it with our independent findings.
So, what is sea moss?
Scientifically known as Chondrus crispus, sea moss or Irish moss is a type of algae or seaweed found on the Atlantic shores of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. Sea moss comes in many forms as a supplement, from gels to gummies and tablets. It can be eaten, used on the skin, or even applied to hair.
Is sea moss good for women?
Sea moss is a fantastic way to support a healthy lifestyle. Myla's Moss has provided an extensive list (backed by scientific research) of all the things that sea moss can help with, which we have included at the end of the article.
To summarise, women of all ages, especially those over 50, should consider taking sea moss because it is a great source of iodine, which contributes to normal thyroid function. With its iron content, it is great for contributing to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and contains other vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, manganese, zinc, and calcium. Its high antioxidant content also helps combat age-related cellular damage and boosts overall vitality.
Are all sea moss products the same?
We wondered if all sea moss products were made equally and asked Heeral Patel, Holland & Barrett's Heath and Science editor, about it. She explained: "Not all sea moss supplements are created equal, and the quality can vary significantly between different brands. Some products may contain additional ingredients like other seaweeds or vitamins. When choosing a sea moss supplement, it's crucial to consider factors such as sourcing, ingredient quality, and manufacturing standards."
Does sea moss have any side effects?
We know what you are thinking: this sounds too good to be true. Why isn't everyone taking sea moss if it has so many health benefits? We thought the same thing and wondered if there was anyone who should avoid this natural health product.
"While it is generally thought that sea moss is safe for most of us, it’s still worth exercising some caution when taking it in whatever form you opt for. Ensure you choose a reputable manufacturer and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the sea moss you are taking.
"It’s also a good idea to avoid overeating sea moss. Sea moss is a source of iodine and other heavy metals, and while not bad for most people in small amounts, taking too much could lead to you feeling unwell," says Heeral.
How do you take sea moss?
Initially, we were worried about taking it in its gel form, with vivid memories of spoonfuls of cod liver oil still fresh in our minds, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that sea moss doesn't have a strong taste at all.
Angel Farrugia, founder of Myla’s Moss, explains: "Overconsumption may lead to some dire consequences. Sea moss contains a high quantity of iodine and may cause nausea, vomiting and stomach ache.
"We suggest you take no more than two tablespoons of sea moss gel daily. This natural goodness can be used in all kinds of delicious culinary preparations, from smoothies to soups or even baked goods.
"It is also a fantastic vegan gelatin replacement and can be used to thicken soups, stews, and curries, adding nutritional value to your meals."
Is there a good time of day/night to take sea moss?
"You can take sea moss whenever you want! Some people like to start their day with 2 tablespoons added to their morning porridge or smoothies, whereas others add to hot meals and salad dressings during meal times," says Angela.
What can sea moss help with?
High in Dietary Fibre: Helps to relieve constipation, improve heart health, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol.
Anti-Anaemic: Rich in iron that helps improve the signs of anaemia.
Supports Sexual Health: High nutritional value helps improve blood flow and increase libido.
Detoxify the Body: Cleanse the body of mucus and harmful toxins, promoting overall health and well-being.
Enhance Thyroid Function: Good source of iodine, making it an ideal supplement for individuals with iodine deficiency or hypothyroidism.
Boosts Metabolism: High Iodine content regulates hunger hormones and hence boosts metabolism
Support Immune Function: High vitamin C content helps to boost immunity and protect against diseases.
Natural Decongestant: Helps soothe mucus membranes, supports the body in removing excess mucus, and reduces congestion.
Enhances Gut Health: Supports gut health with the presence of good bacteria.
Aids in Faster Muscle Recovery: Rich in the amino acid Taurine, it aids in muscle recovery and helps relieve muscle cramps.
Helps Control Appetite: High dietary fibre content keeps you full longer and avoids overeating.
Fights Eczema and Soothe Irritated Skin: Natural healing and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritated skin and reduce eczema.
Promotes Collagen Production: Promotes collagen production, reduces inflammation, and acts as an antibacterial agent.
Promotes Mental And Emotional Well-being: High in Polyunsaturated fatty acids that help improve mental and emotional health
Reduce Fatigue and Increase Energy Levels: High nutritional value and the presence of amino acids help reduce fatigue and keep the body energised.
Eases Joint Pain: Anti-inflammatory properties help ease joint pain
Neuroprotective Activity: Research proves that Chondrus Crispus has neuroprotective properties that help against Parkinson’s disease.
Best sea moss overall
www.mylasmoss.com
Myla's Moss was born from the determination of Angel Farrugia, a mother seeking a natural, additive-free sea moss for her daughter. Frustrated with the market's offerings, Angel decided to source directly from sea moss farmers in the pristine Caribbean waters of St. Lucia. The result? One of the purest sea moss gels available made simply from raw sea moss, lemon juice, and water.
Initially concerned about the taste, we were pleasantly surprised by its mild, earthy flavour. When blended into smoothies or mixed into porridge, it becomes virtually tasteless, making it easy to incorporate into your diet.
Our writer, Hannah Carroll, has enlisted her entire family to test Myla's Moss. Her mother, Traci Carroll, swears by it, claiming, "Sea moss is now a must before a good night out." She finds that a spoonful gives her an extra boost and reduces the feeling of tiredness the next day.
Hannah's young son, Frank, has been using the gel to soothe his eczema. "My son has severe allergies that cause his skin to appear red and inflamed. Doctors recommended steroids, but I wanted a natural alternative. Following the sea moss application guide on the website, I was amazed by the results.
Within days, his arms looked noticeably better, and within a week, the rashes were completely gone."
As for Hannah, she has incorporated Myla's Moss into her daily smoothies and porridge. Suffering from arthritis, she has noticed that her morning joint pain has significantly decreased. While the pain hasn't completely vanished, the only change in her routine has been the addition of sea moss, and the improvement has been remarkable.
Pros
- The gel can be consumed daily in smoothies, teas, other recipes or on its own.
- It can also be used on hair and skin.
- Suitable for freezing.
Cons
- This raw sea moss gel has a best before of 3 weeks.
| Every Myla’s Moss Sea Moss Gel (340ML) jar contains; | |
| 90% Wildcrafted Sea Moss<br>10% Filtered Alkaline Water<br>A Dash of Key Lime Juice |
Credit: Hannah Carroll/Holland and Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
Discover the benefits of Irish Sea Moss, combined with the unique kelp seaweeds Wakame and Norwegian Kelp, in Holland and Barrett's specially formulated tablet designed to help aid weight loss.
Rich in fucoxanthin, Wakame aids in fat metabolism and weight control, helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Just one tablet a day provides 92 of the 102 essential minerals in the human body, promoting vitality and well-being.
Whilst we haven't noticed any significant results thus far, it has only been a week. We can report that the tablets are very easy to digest, and online reviews are generally very positive, with some saying they have noticed they are less hungry.
Pros
- Easy to swallow with water
- Easy on the stomach
- Natural weight loss solution
Cons
- Some people did not notice any noticeable change. These tablets support a healthy lifestyle and will not work without changes to that lifestyle.
Credit: Hannah Carroll/Holland and Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
If you don’t like the taste of sea moss, this might be a good option for you because these gummies have a natural kiwi and lemon flavour. We appreciate that these gummies are also a great source of vitamin C, which is great for ageing skin and healthy immune system function.
We wanted to love the gummies, and on paper, they sounded perfect. But we found they feel short on flavour and texture. The gummies are a little gritty and slightly salty, but the good news is that the taste doesn’t last very long.
However, we think this is good for people who want an alternative to the sea moss gel. And the gummies are quick and convenient and have a much longer shelf life.
Pros
- Natural kiwi and lemon-flavoured sea moss
- Convient for travelling
- It doesn't need to be stored in a fridge
Cons
- We didn't personally like the taste but lots of online customers do.
| Ingredients: | Sweeteners (Maltitol Syrup, Isomalt, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Erythritol, Steviol Glycosides from Stevia), Gelling Agent (Citrus Pectin), Acid (Citric acid), Sea Moss Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Colourants (Spirulina Extract, Safflower Extract), Citrus Fibre, Natural Flavourings, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Medium Chain Triglycerides, Glaze (Coconut Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Glazing Agent: Carnauba Wax), Thiamin Mononitrate, Potassium Iodide. |
Meet the Experts:
Heeral Patel, Health & Science Editor
After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, Heeral pursued a career related to health and medicine. She landed her first job in pharmaceutical market research, which led her to work in publishing and editing content for medical education and women’s health journals. Now, she is part of the Science team at Holland & Barrett, where she creates science and health editorial guidelines and content reviews to help the business achieve its mission of being science-led.
Holland & Barrett International is one of the world’s leading health and wellness retailers and the largest in Europe. It supplies its customers with a wide range of vitamins, minerals, health supplements, specialist foods and natural beauty products with over 145 years of experience in the industry.
Angel Farrugia
Angel is the founder of one of the most popular sea moss brands, Myla's Moss. Her journey began with her own personal mission to find natural solutions for her daughter Myla's eczema, bolster her immune system, and enrich her overall nutrition.
The brand works directly with traditional sea moss farmers in the pristine Caribbean waters of St. Lucia. Blessed with nutrient-rich volcanic water, these skilled farmers have cultivated sea moss for generations, preserving its natural purity and potency.
Hannah Carroll is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that make her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.