Fab or Fad: Sea Moss Gel
Sea moss has taken the internet by storm, but is it the superfood it's been purported to be?
by Erica Schwartz
Sea moss gel has become all the rage amongst wellness gurus and self-care influencers on TikTok and Instagram, but what does this gooey, fishy-tasting substance really do?
Sea moss gel is derived from Irish moss, also known as red seaweed or, by its scientific name, Chrondrus crispus. It has been used in cuisines around the world and has been harvested for the commonly used thickener carrageenan in its cell walls.
Over the past year, videos of influencers swallowing down big spoonfuls of the jelly-like, often colorful substance have flooded TikTok and Instagram feeds. Consumers parrot health claims from the brands selling these products.
One of the common claims made regarding sea moss is that it contains 92 of the 102 minerals that make up the human body. Turns out, there has not been enough research into sea moss to substantiate these claims fully. Moreover, many of the minerals found in the body are produced within the body or easily consumed through a generally balanced diet.
Something these influencers often fail to mention is that carrageenan, the very stuff that makes sea moss gel a gel, is reported to cause gastrointestinal side effects.
The moral of the story is there really isn’t anything wrong with sea moss gel—unless you have a sensitive stomach—but there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence to say that sea moss supplementation is beneficial. If you really want to go out and drop $45 on something to benefit your health, go for something that is proven to work—and one that tastes better.
Commentaires