Posted On Aug 05, 2022.

If you’ve perused some of the latest superfoods and weight loss supplement fads online, you may have come across a supplement called sea moss, sometimes referred to as Irish moss.

“Irish moss is a superfood that has recently gained widespread popularity after glowing endorsements from celebrities like Kim Kardashian,” says Jessica Cho, MD, the founder of Wellness at Century City, her personal practice in Los Angeles.

What Is Sea Moss?

The scientific name for sea moss is Chondrus crispus, which is a species of red algae that grows on rocky coastlines along the Atlantic coast across the British Isles, continental Europe, and North America.right up arrow It is a small, spiky or frilly seaweed that resembles red leaf lettuce, except it can come in a variety of colors — from yellow-green to dark purple.

The main component of sea moss is carrageenan, a gelatinous substance used to thicken a variety of foods, including dairy products, processed meats, and infant formula.right up arrow Carrageenan is also used in cosmetics and medications.right up arrow

Sea moss has a long history of being used for purported nutritional and medicinal benefits. Some evidence points to the use of sea moss in Chinese medicine as far back as 600 B.C., and by 400 B.C., it had become a food source across the British Isles. Sea moss proved an important source of nutrition in Ireland during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, and Irish immigrants later established seaweed farms in the United States. Following agar shortages during World War II, sea moss increased in popularity as a replacement food thickener and emulsifier.right up arrow

Today, some of those same properties have sea moss making an appearance in the aforementioned wellness products — and there might be some merit to the claims, though research is limited and sea moss may not be appropriate for everyone.

Original Post: What Is Sea Moss (Irish Moss)? A Complete Scientific Guide