Healthy Tuesday Nutrient of the Week: Sea Moss

Botanically known as Chondrus crispus, Irish moss, Ogonori, or red seaweed is gaining popularity in the western world. Seaweed, sometimes referred to as sea vegetables, is a marine plant classified as an algae that grows underwater. Algae are plants that can be as small as a single-celled species, such as phytoplankton scaling up to larger plants like seaweed (macroalgae). Most of us are more familiar with the brown seaweed kelp which is the largest group. It is considered a different species from sea moss. Two other popular forms of algae you might be familiar with are spirulina and chlorella. Algae do not have the standard structures of stems, leaves, flowers, etc. that are observed on land vegetation. They do contain the green pigment chlorophyll requiring sunlight for photosynthesis. Irish moss grows predominantly in tide pools and inlets. Michelin Guide Global, 6 Most Common Types of Edible Seaweed by Rachel Tan, May 2019 provides a list of edible seaweeds you might have heard of including: 

~Nori or Zicai in Chinese and Gim in Korean. 

~Kombu, often used in Japanese cuisine and primary ingredient in kombucha tea.

~Wakame found off coastal areas all over the world. 

~Ogonori, known by the western world as Irish moss. 

~Umibudo or sea grapes, and 

~Hijiki used in Japanese and Korean cuisine. This one has been found to have an alarmingly high arsenic content and should be avoided.

Marina Delio of the The Yummy Mummy Kitchen credits Dr. Sebi for popularizing the culinary and nutritional purposes of sea moss. She also explains the name Irish moss emerges from the historical potato famine of Ireland during the 1800's leading people to eat the red algae on the beach.

The purplish red sea moss has been consumed for centuries in Asia, but newly researched by the medical/scientific community. Sea moss is usually available in form of a gel or capsule as a supplement. The gel is incorporated into foods, beverages, and smoothies. It can also be purchased raw or dried, particularly if eaten in a salad or with sushi. It is normally purplish red, but can come in other colors depending on the climate and water temperature reports Jon Johnson, Medical News Today, What to know about sea moss, June 2021. It contains a carbohydrate (oligosaccharide) that is a natural gelatinous thickener called carrageenan used in cosmetics, foods, and baked goods. It contains notable amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly rich in iodine which nourishes the thyroid gland and increases energy/stamina. It is reported to contain antioxidants protecting against cell damage, premature aging, and multiple diseases. The gel can be applied topically to skin and hair as a beauty treatment. The high fiber content promotes healthy gastrointestinal and immune systems. NOURISH by WebMD says a study was conducted suggesting sea moss inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes salmonella infection in humans. According to Johnson, the red seaweed contains a compound called fucoxanthin that facilitates weight loss and fights colorectal cancer.  Furthermore, the latest research shows it is promising in preventing neuro-degeneration that characterizes Parkinson's disease.

Precautions💀

Due to the high iodine content, poisoning/toxicity is a threat if too much of the seaweed is consumed. Taking supplements is more likely to cause this problem than food consumption. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms (mcg). Johnson acknowledges the Journal of Medicinal Food for noting that sea moss contains 47 milligrams (mg) of iodine per gram. Kombu has the highest iodine content yielding 2000 % of the RDA per gram! A few adverse effects of excessive iodine intake are burning sensation of the mouth, metallic taste in the mouth, thyroid inflammation and/or goiter, gastrointestinal problems, and skin lesions. Another risk of seaweed consumption is poisoning from heavy metals and other toxins absorbed from the waters it grew in. Be selective when choosing seaweed products and read labels carefully. There could be information on the specific body of water and/or geographic location where the seaweed was harvested. Do research on the company that makes the products you are interested in purchasing. Check their status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and for any consumer complaints. If they have a website, explore it and gather as much information as possible.

Some of the the healthiest foods on the planet are in the oceans.
Go ahead and dive in!