I’ve been known to experiment with various health trends—and that now includes eating seaweed. Sea moss has become popular for its health benefits. A tasty form of this superfood is in apple cinnamon sea moss gummies!
Understanding Sea Moss
Sea moss is a type of red seaweed known as Irish sea moss, or scientifically, Chondrus crispus. It’s found in the rocky coasts of the Northern Atlantic. But why consume it?
Advantages of Sea Moss
This superfood is packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It includes:
- iodine
- calcium
- magnesium
- phosphorous
- potassium
- sodium
- iron
- zinc
- fiber
- oligosaccharides
- protein (27% protein)
- antioxidants
Scientific Insights on Irish Sea Moss
A study in 2021 indicated that sea moss positively affected sperm motility in mice, suggesting potential benefits for male fertility.
Research in 2015 also explored its potential against Parkinson’s disease pathways, finding promising results against neurodegenerative conditions. Sea moss shows anti-inflammatory properties, which may benefit those with chronic inflammatory diseases.
Its fiber content promotes digestive health by increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful pathogens. Studies also suggest it may stimulate the immune system, offering support similar to elderberry against the flu virus. Experiments showed its ability to reduce salmonella bacteria significantly.
Human studies report improvements in energy, pain, digestive systems, and mood, hinting at its broad support for body functions.
Sea Moss, Iodine, and Thyroid Health
As a good iodine source, seaweed is thought to support thyroid health. However, caution is advised because excessive iodine can be harmful. In countries where iodized salt is prevalent, getting too much iodine is possible, especially with high seaweed consumption.
People with hypothyroidism or autoimmune thyroid conditions might find reduced iodine intake beneficial. My personal experience with autoimmune recovery showed worsening symptoms when supplementing with iodine. This varies by individual and condition, so consult a healthcare provider.
Using Sea Moss
Sea moss can enrich smoothies, especially when combined with berries. You can purchase non-GMO organic sea moss gummies in stores or online. If gummies aren’t preferred, sea moss capsules or powder are available. Opt for wildcrafted sea moss, sometimes labeled as organic Irish sea moss, free from preservatives and additives.
The sea moss powder I used for gummies included bladderwrack and burdock root.
Bladderwrack is another nutrient-rich seaweed, linked to benefits in iodine, vitamin C, weight loss, anti-cancer effects, and blood sugar regulation.
Burdock, a superfood used in both dietary supplements and skincare, has prebiotic properties that protect the liver, support a healthy weight, and improve skin clarity. The European Medicines Agency advises against burdock during pregnancy due to potential effects on uterine muscles.
Using Sea Moss Gel
One popular form is sea moss gel. To prepare it, soak dried sea moss in water overnight, then blend until smooth. Store in a jar in the fridge for a few weeks.
Sea Moss for Skin Care
Sea moss isn’t just for eating. Thanks to its antioxidants and nutrients, sea moss gel is a favored skincare ingredient for hydration and environmental protection. It even works as a face mask.
Where to Purchase
Too busy to make your own? Although sugar-free premade gummies are hard to find, sea moss is available in other forms. Use sea moss to create gel or add powder to smoothies.
Tips for Creating Sea Moss Gummies
These gummies are gluten-free and use natural sweeteners like juice and honey. They aren’t vegan due to gelatin, but alternatives like agar agar exist, though I haven’t tried it.
Cinnamon apple juice masks the seaweed taste, especially with fresh-pressed, unfiltered juice for added antioxidants. Use cinnamon sticks rather than powder to avoid grittiness.
Many recipes suggest making sea moss gel first, but the powdered form is more stable and quicker.
For ease, pour the mixture into a glass dish and cut into squares. For fun shapes, use silicone molds. Whatever the shape, they offer delicious apple-cinnamon flavor!
Apple Cinnamon Sea Moss Gummies Recipe
These gummies pair apple cinnamon flavors with the health benefits of sea moss.
- Grease the baking dish with oil.
- Boil 1 cup of apple juice with cinnamon sticks, then steep for 15 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, sprinkle gelatin over another cup of apple juice to bloom.
- Remove cinnamon sticks, then add honey and sea moss powder.
- Combine the gelatin mixture gently with warm juice to avoid foam.
- Pour into the dish and refrigerate for an hour.
- Cut into cubes and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 32
- Fat: 0.05g
- Sodium: 9mg
- Potassium: 34mg
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2IU
- Vitamin C: 0.3mg
- Calcium: 9mg
- Iron: 0.1mg
Daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
These gummies work well in various mold shapes, like bears or dinosaurs, and I don’t stress over precise dosage thanks to their nutrient density.
Have you tried sea moss before? What benefits did you observe? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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- 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.
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- 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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