Debunking 5 Common Myths About Sea Moss

Sea moss, also known as Irish moss or Chondrus crispus, is an edible alga 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 on every health and wellness TikTok or Instagram account 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 algainto 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 sometimestrue.

As you may know, sea moss can be consumed in different forms, including raw, dried, gel, capsules, gummies, or powder. While it’s true that plain, raw, or dried sea moss may have a strong taste, the gel, pills, or powder have almost no taste at all. 

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.

Raw sea moss can be eaten fresh. In that case, it has a soft gelatinous texture. However, if you prefer crunchiness, try sundried sea moss. Either way, you can add the raw alga to salads, soups, salsa, and dips, or even cook it like pasta.

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’ll reap the same health benefits as if you were eating raw sea moss, but without the “bad” taste.

The gel is obtained by thoroughly washing the sea moss and blending it with 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!

Most people take their two daily tablespoons of sea moss gel alone. However, pure flavorless sea moss gel easily incorporates into food and drink recipes without altering the flavors.

You can also purchase or prepare fruit-infused flavored sea moss gels. Besides, sea moss gelis a great plant-based substitute for gelatin and is often used as a thickener in desserts and creamy recipes. You can add sea moss gel to smoothies, juices, cheesecakes, salad dressings, soups, and more!

Sea moss capsules are absolutely tasteless. 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 for enhanced health benefits.

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.

While modern scientific research is still lacking about the health benefits of sea moss, it does not mean they are exaggerated.

Consuming sea moss regularly has proven to help treat and prevent numerous health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, infertility, heart disease, blood pressure, skin problems, anxiety and depression, digestive disorders, viral infections, respiratory illnesses, and others.

You can find more detailed information, scientific research, clinical studies, and consumer testimonials 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. It's FDA-approved as an additive and thickening agent for the food and beauty industry.

There are a few concerns about carrageenan's safety, and scientists believe it may cause inflammation and digestive problems such as irritable bowel disease (IBD). However, the validity of these claims is hotly debated and lacks sufficient evidence.

Most carrageenan extracts used in the food and beauty industries are industrially processedand modified and do not contain any of the natural nutrients that sea moss has.

In any case, consuming sea moss is not like consuming carrageenan. Although sea moss contains up to 55% of natural carrageenan, it also contains a great variety and density of highly valuable nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

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 wants 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.

The main risk associated with the overconsumption of sea moss is iodine poisoning. Chondrus crispus is one of the natural foods with the highest iodine content. Iodine is an essential mineral for the body's function, especially for the thyroid. Because the body can't produce it on its own, including iodine-rich foods in our diet is essential. That's why our table salt in the U.S.A. is iodized.

But too much iodine could poison your body. So, just because sea moss is natural does not make it ok to eat huge quantities of it.

Keep calm, though, as the amount of sea moss you’d need to get close to dangerous levels of iodine is more than 20 times the recommended daily dosage.

Related article: Find out how much sea moss you should take daily.  

For most people, two tablespoons of sea moss gel daily is a safe yet efficient dosage. You're safe as long as you stay close to this safe daily dose of sea moss! Learn more about the potential side effects of sea moss 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. Yes, itdoes have significant health benefits since it is so nutrient-dense. But, like with anything, it needs to be paired with a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet for it to work.

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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