I’ve been known to try some interesting things in the name of health. We can add eat seaweed to that list too. Sea moss has gained popularity in recent years for its health benefits. And a tasty way to get more of it is with these delicious, apple cinnamon sea moss gummies!
What is Sea Moss?
Yep, it’s a moss that grows in the sea. Also known as Irish sea moss, it’s one of the red seaweeds. The technical name for it is Chondrus crispus and it grows in the rocky areas of the Northern Atlantic Sea. So the question is, why eat it?
Benefits of Sea Moss
This superfood has a variety of health benefits and a decent amount of research behind it. Most of the studies are done in animals or in vitro, but there are some human studies too. It’s full of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals like the following:
- iodine
- calcium
- magnesium
- phosphorous
- potassium
- sodium
- iron
- zinc
- fiber
- oligosaccharides
- protein (it’s 27% protein)
- antioxidants
The Science Behind Irish Sea Moss
A 2021 study found sea moss positively affected sperm motility (among other fertility markers) in male mice. Researchers concluded red seaweed could increase male fertility.
2015 research looked at its ability to act on pathways known to affect Parkinson’s Disease. This animal study showed promising results in fighting neurodegenerative disease. Several studies have shown it has some anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit chronic inflammatory metabolic disease.
Other studies have looked at its effect on digestive health. Sea moss is rich in dietary fiber and shows prebiotic effects. Dietary supplements with sea moss can help improve gut health by helping increase beneficial bacteria and decrease harmful pathogens.
Several animal studies noted it can offer immune support and stimulate the immune system. And like elderberry, it’s been shown to fight the flu virus. A 2016 study looked at sea moss and its ability to ward off salmonella bacteria. Not only did it significantly reduce salmonella growth, but it also decreased biofilm formation.
Human studies show it helped improve energy levels, pain, and digestive issues, and gave a mood boost. The sea moss also helped improve musculoskeletal related issues.
This unassuming little algae supports quite a few body systems!
Sea Moss, Iodine, and Thyroid Health
Because it’s a decent source of iodine, some sources suggest seaweed can provide thyroid support. They’re also sure to add the disclaimer that too much iodine can be harmful though. The biggest source of iodine in developed countries is refined (and unhealthy) iodized salt, which is something I try to avoid.
Someone eating the typical standard American diet (SAD) will likely have plenty of iodine from processed foods. In fact, processed salt is considered the number one source of iodine in the developed world. If someone uses lots of iodized salt and eats tons of seaweed every day, that might not be the best combination.
Those with hypothyroid or autoimmune thyroid problems may also benefit from reducing iodine intake. Personally, I found that while I was recovering from my autoimmune disease, I felt worse supplementing with iodine. This depends on the person and their exact condition though. When in doubt, as your natural healthcare provider.
How to Use Sea Moss
Raw sea moss tastes great in smoothies, especially berry smoothies. As long as you don’t add too much, the taste is subtle. You can also find non-GMO organic sea moss gummies from certain health food stores or online (like Amazon). If you want a non gummy sea moss supplement, then there are sea moss capsules or powder.
You want to look for wildcrafted sea moss without preservatives or additives. It might also be labeled organic Irish sea moss. The powder I used for these sea moss gummies had bladderwrack & burdock root in it too.
Organic bladderwrack is a brown seaweed that’s also loaded with health benefits. It’s rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, like iodine, vitamin C, and phytochemicals. Research has also linked it with weight loss, anti-cancer, and blood sugar-balancing benefits.
Burdock is another superfood ingredient that’s used both internally and in skincare products. This prebiotic can help protect the liver, support a healthy weight, and encourage clearer skin. The European Medicines Agency does not recommend burdock during pregnancy since it can have an effect on the uterine muscles.
Sea Moss Gel
One of the most popular ways to use sea moss is with sea moss gel. To make it, you soak a chunk of dried sea moss in water overnight. The next day blend it up until smooth and store it in a jar in the fridge. Homemade sea moss gel can last up to a few weeks in the fridge.
Sea Moss Skin Care
You don’t just have to eat Irish sea moss gummies to get the wellness benefits. Because it’s high in antioxidants and nutrients, sea moss gel is also a popular skincare ingredient. The peptides, amino acids, and other nutrients provide hydration and help protect against environmental stressors. It can also be used as a face mask.
Where to Buy It
Too busy to make your own? I couldn’t find premade gummies without sugar, dyes, or other unhealthy ingredients. However, there are plenty of other ways to supplement with sea moss. You can use this sea moss to make your own sea moss gel or put the powder into smoothies.
- Sea moss glycerite
- Sea moss capsules
- Sea moss powder
- Sea moss cut and sifted (can be used to make sea moss gel)
- Sea moss powder with burdock and bladderwrack
Tips for Making Sea Moss Gummies
These gummies are naturally gluten-free and use natural sweeteners like juice and honey. They aren’t vegan gummies because of the gelatin, but gelatin has a lot of amazing health benefits of its own. I’ve seen vegan sea moss gummies that use agar agar, but it’s not something I’ve tried.
I opted for apple juice infused with cinnamon because it helps cover the seaweed taste. You can use fresh-pressed, unfiltered apple juice for a healthier option. The cinnamon sticks give it extra anti-oxidants and antimicrobial properties. You could use cinnamon powder if preferred, but I wanted to minimize the powder added to prevent a gritty taste.
A lot of sea moss gummy recipes call for making sea moss gel first. Since the powdered version is much more shelf stable and faster, I opted for it instead.
The easiest option is to pour the whole mixture into an 8×8 glass dish and then cut it into squares. If you want to make some fun shapes for the kids though, there are plenty of cute silicone mold options. Whatever you choose, they’re packed with delicious apple cinnamon flavor!
Apple Cinnamon Sea Moss Gummies Recipe
Equipment
- 8×8 baking dish (or small gelatin molds)
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple juice (divided)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ¼ cup gelatin powder
- 1 TBSP honey
- 2 tsp sea moss powder
- coconut oil (or olive or avocado oil)
Instructions
- Grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish with the oil.
- Add 1 cup of apple juice and the cinnamon sticks to the pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, then turn it off and let steep for 15 minutes.
- While the apple cinnamon mixture is steeping, pour the other 1 cup of apple juice into a shallow bowl. Evenly sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let it bloom.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks from the warm apple juice and stir in the honey and sea moss powder.
- Stir the gelatin apple juice mixture and then gently whisk it into the warm apple juice mixture. Don't whisk it quickly or you'll have a lot of foam!
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Place it into the fridge to cool for at least an hour.
- Cut the gelatin into cubes and enjoy!
Notes
- You can pour the gelatin into smaller, shaped molds if desired. Try gummy bears, robots, dinosaurs, or whatever your kids like!
- Since these are a nutrient dense food, I don’t worry about precise dosage.
Nutrition
Have you ever tried sea moss before? What benefits did you notice? Leave a comment and let me know!
Sources:
- Andersen, S., et al. (2019). Iodine in Edible Seaweed, Its Absorption, Dietary Use, and Relation to Iodine Nutrition in Arctic People. Journal of medicinal food, 22(4), 421–426. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2018.0187
- Cincotta, J. (2022, July 13). 5 Benefits of Bladderwrack: Dosage & Safety. The Botanical Institute.
- Frediansyah A. (2021). The antiviral activity of iota-, kappa-, and lambda-carrageenan against COVID-19: A critical review. Clinical epidemiology and global health, 12, 100826.
- Glenn, L. (2011, March 31). Burdock – The Purifying Root. American Botanical Council.
- Ibrahim, N. M., et al. (2021). The effect of Red Seaweed (Chondrus crispus) on the fertility of male albino rats. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 28(7), 3864–3869.
- Kulshreshtha, G., et al. (2015). Enzyme-assisted extraction of bioactive material from Chondrus crispus and Codium fragile and its effect on herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Marine drugs, 13(1), 558–580.
- Kulshreshtha, G., et al. (2016). Red Seaweeds Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii and Chondrus crispus down Regulate Virulence Factors of Salmonella Enteritidis and Induce Immune Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Frontiers in microbiology, 7, 421.
- Liu, J., et al. (2015). Neuroprotective effects of the cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans model of Parkinson’s disease. Marine drugs, 13(4), 2250–2266.
- Liu, J., et al. (2015). Prebiotic effects of diet supplemented with the cultivated red seaweed Chondrus crispus or with fructo-oligo-saccharide on host immunity, colonic microbiota and gut microbial metabolites. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 15, 279.
- Liu, Z., et al. (2019). Anti-Cancer Activity of Porphyran and Carrageenan from Red Seaweeds. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(23), 4286.
- Palmieri, B., et al. (2018). Clinical effects of overwintered-stressed Chondrus Crispus and non-overwintered-stressed Chondrus crispus dietary supplementations. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(6).
- Robertson, R. C., et al. (2015). The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Algae-Derived Lipid Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Stimulated Human THP-1 Macrophages. Marine drugs, 13(8), 5402–5424.
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