Sea Moss Nutrition; The Powerful Facts About 92 Minerals

Did you know that the body is understood to be made up of 102 minerals? And that it is popularly believed that 92 of the minerals are also found in Sea Moss?

Needless to say that Irish Sea Moss is a good source of vitamins and organified minerals. Organified basically means that they occur naturally in a plant-based form that is easily able to be assimilated into the body.

There is no scientific manufacturing required. In the world of whole foods like this, you get the full benefits of sea moss nutrition that is readily available in the Sea Moss, all naturally.

What are the Sea Moss Nutrition Benefits?

This is a short list of the various elements, chemicals, trace minerals, and vitamins typically found in Sea Moss:

  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Folate (‎C19H19N7O6)
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Zinc (Zn)
  • Copper (Cu)
  • Sodium (Na)
  • Iodine (I)
  • Boron (B)
  • Soluble Potash (K2O)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Manganese (Mn)
  • Phosphoric Acid (P2O5)
  • Potassium (K)
  • Selenium (Se)
  • Sulfur (S),
  • Carbohydrates including:
    • Alginic Acid (C6H11No6)n
    • Mannitol (C6H14O6)
    • Laminarin ‎(C6H10O5)x
  • Nitrogen (N), and
  • Vitamins A to E, and K.

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of these Irish Sea Moss nutrition facts which are not frequently looked at.

Selenium

What is Selenium?

Selenium is used widely in a range of applications and is found in commercially produced baby formula, multivitamins, and a range of other supplements. It is necessary in small amounts for healthy cellular function.

Being a component of specific antioxidant enzymes, it also helps to maintain healthy thyroid function by converting one type of thyroid hormone to another type as needed.

Selenium is capable of changing form under various conditions including temperature variations and exposure to Carbon disulfide.

Organic Selenium is believed to provide support to the body and prevent a range of complications including: 1

  • The destruction of cells through premature oxidization and oxidative stress
  • Reduce the degree of impact or the likelihood of:
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Cancer
    • Stroke, and
    • Premature aging
  • Reducing the potential of mental health issues and depression
  • Reducing the extent of complications associated with Hashimoto’s disease
  • Boosting the immune system, and
  • Reducing the impact of Asthma and related symptoms.

Laminarin

What is Laminarin?

Laminarin is a beta-glucan that is found in brown species of seaweed and algae. It is responsible for the storage of the polysaccharide Glucan. It plays a key role in medicinal and medical research circles as it has been found to possess the following properties: 2 3 4

  • Antioxidant
  • Antiviral
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anticoagulant
  • Antiproliferative
  • Antitumour
  • Antiapoptosis, and
  • Immunostimulatory.

Laminarin is created via photosynthesis and is needed as a part of the life cycle of many microorganisms. From a food source perspective in our global ecosystem, think of Laminarin as a carbohydrate.

It is used as a food source in a similar way to how chrysolaminarin is put to use by phytoplankton, in particular diatoms.

Fun Fact: Did you know that diatoms are responsible for the generation of about 20% of the oxygen we have access to on Earth? They are found in the rivers, streams, oceans, and soil of our planet and number in their trillions!

This is another great reason for choosing Sea Moss which is responsibly farmed instead of wildcrafted.

sea moss with text overlat reading 'sea moss, it's a beautiful thing'. This is an image of an olive green species of sea moss on a white background that is full and thick like a tight shrub with lighter sea moss thalus (or branches) towards the outside while the center of the image is like looking in to the depth of the shrub where the sea moss is thicker in a bunched type formation and much darker - www.detoxandcure.com
You know that Sea Moss is a beautiful thing! Find this image on Instagram.

This is by no means a complete list of the full 92 minerals understood to be found in sea moss. We are currently undertaking assessments of a variety of species of Sea Moss to identify the minerals found within them.

At this stage, we have yet to find a source that explicitly states the 92 minerals found in Sea Moss anywhere.

But how can that be achieved with all of the conjecture about fake Sea Moss online? What’s the real deal, and what’s a pretender?

What is Sea Moss?

Irish Sea Moss is the seaweed that was used a lot during the Irish Potato Famine. Sea Moss has been referred to by several different names and often can include Carrageen or Chondrus Crispus. 5 6 7

Chondrus Crispus grows on what are typically rocky coastlines in cooler waters like those in the Northern Hemisphere around the areas of the Northern Atlantic.

You’ll know when you see it. It is a red algae with a typically flatter appearance than other types of seaweed found around it. As you can see below, the thallus that it has can look like flat leaves.

Irish Moss Seaweed - How Can I Eat Seaweed Everyday - www.detoxandcure.com - rich and deep purple dried chondrus crispus seaweed leaf on white background
Chondrus Crispus

However, when I did my research I found that several people of influence, what some may call public notaries, are attributing the use of different species of seaweed to Chondrus Crispus and referring to them as Irish Sea Moss. This can lead to a little confusion and some heated debate.

These other species have been found to include Eucheuma Cottonii (Kappaphycus Alvarezii), Gracilaria, and a handful of others. These are seaweed species that have proven to be much easier to source than Chondrus Crispus and grow in many oceans around the world.

They are also more suited to the warmer climates of areas like the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, unlike Chondrus Crispus.

When comparing Chondrus Crispus to these other seaweeds, they tend to have a tubular-looking thallus. They also come in several colors like bright and olive green, brown, red, purple, and gold.

When these species of seaweed are fresh, they tend to have a firm and crisp outer texture with the inside being softer and more jelly-like. Some of them may also seem a bit rubbery.

What you tend to find for sale are variations on the dried version of these types of seaweed. They can be prepared in such a way that they hold their natural color, or they can be bleached to appear much lighter.

This is not normally a chemical bleaching that occurs.

It is normally sun bleaching, although, some large-scale manufacturers out of China who process seaweed have been known to use chemical bleaching. So it pays to know more about your Sea Moss in the end.

Wholefood, Superfood, Organic What is Irish Sea Moss Good For - www.detoxandcure.com
Gracilaria
What are the Benefits of Dried Seaweed - www.detoxandcure.com
Eucheuma Cottonii
seaweed being sun bleached in a clear plastic bag. Having changed from a dark olive green to a milky white, this has taken on a translucent appearance and left a pool of water in the bottom of the bag that is milky white.
Sea Moss inside a clear plastic bag that has been exposed to the sun to help sweat the color out of the seaweed. Find this image on Instagram.

After doing extensive research I’ve learned that these other species, referred to as Sea Moss (and Irish Sea Moss) by many people in the Sebi community, are also very nutritious.

These are the species of Sea Moss more commonly found for sale online because they are more affordable and easier to acquire.

Chondrus Crispus in comparison can seem very expensive when you look at it on a price per kilogram (or price per pound) basis.

So, the question I find I ask myself is ‘what price do you put on your health and the quality of the food you eat?’ This is why we are looking at Sea Moss nutrition.

Speaking from a more general basis to include all the species we have introduced you to here, Sea Moss comes in various shapes, colors, and sizes. The size is typically indicative of the timeframe that it has been permitted to dry for, and the resultant moisture content.

A Word of Caution on Manufacturing

You may already know of Irish Sea Moss by a different name; Carrageenan.

This is a bi-product of Irish Moss and has been used in many processed food and beverage products for a long time now. Carrageenan is used as a preservative, thickener, emulsifier, and stabiliser.

There are food processing companies and manufacturers who add Carrageenan to meat products, desserts, salad dressings, beverages, a variety of milk products, nut drinks (Vegan substitutes for milk), yogurt, baby formula, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner.

So, seaweed has made it into your food already in so many ways that you’re most likely not even aware of!

There is only one major flaw that comes with the manufacture of Carrageenan in my opinion, and considering the value of Sea Moss nutrition after the fact. It loses all of the nutritional benefits that the seaweed originally had.

So don’t assume that you’re going to be getting specific health benefits when you consume processed foods containing Carrageenan. This is not likely at all.

Sea Moss Nutritional Benefits

With the (yet to be 100% confirmed) 92 minerals, Irish Sea Moss is one of the most complex and nutritious foods available. There are so many minerals that are beneficial to the body.

The minerals have been known to help with Joints and Bone strength, Hair and Skin, muscles and organs. It’s an all-round winner in the Superfood category.

There are people like Dr. Sebi who have survived on Sea Moss and water fasting for a very long time. Seaweed provides all the minerals and nutrients that the body needs to stay vibrant and energized.

It is also regarded as a drawing agent, which basically means that it helps flush out toxins.

Many would agree that this amazing seaweed helps to create the circle of life. From enhancing the libido to improving fertility and beyond.

During pregnancy, women tend to become nutrient deficient and sometimes experience health difficulties. But, when consuming Sea Moss during pregnancy there are many health benefits. Make sure you speak with your Doctor first though.

It is understood by cultures where it has been embraced for generations that it helps with the fetus’ development and keeps the mother healthy and strong. After the baby has been born, the Sea Moss continues to provide nutrients from the amniotic fluid during breastfeeding.

When you consider the wide use of seaweed across many cultures, you get a better idea of the concept that age is just a number. More and more people are coming to the conclusion that Sea Moss can support everybody, young and old.

How Is Sea Moss Used?

People in different parts of the world prepare it in different ways. In Vietnam, they rehydrate dried Sea Moss and mix it into a range of foods as a vegetable. More commonly, seaweed makes an appearance in salads, cakes, jellies, and desserts.

sea moss nutrition - Sea Moss salad made from rehydrated sea moss that has been sun bleached to change the color to a golden, almost light fawn. Dressed with fried kang kong and tossed with toasted peanuts
The best Sea Moss salad I’ve ever had! Find this image on Instagram.

In Jamaica, they are well known for making a Sea Moss drink. Jamaicans seem to prefer to go about rehydrating their seaweed by boiling it until it becomes soft and it takes on an almost gelatinous consistency.

In Jamaica, people typically cook the seaweed with coconut milk, and a few spices like nutmeg and cinnamon and then sweeten it to taste.

Personally, I prefer to make my Sea Moss Gel by allowing it to soak in water for up to 48 hours. I apply it topically to my skin and add it to anything I want.

I normally find myself including a big spoon or two of it in desserts, smoothies, tea, and coffee, and as a thickener in soups and sauces.

Really, the options are endless because the seaweed has little to no smell or flavor, so it doesn’t change the taste of what you are adding it to. However, it does thicken the texture.

When I add Sea Moss Gel to my drinks, like my spicy chai tea, I notice a more creamy texture which is simply divine.

You can make your own Sea Moss Gel quite easily with these simple steps, or if time isn’t on your side you can pick your Sea Moss Gel up online, already made! It can be that easy.

Sea Moss Nutrition FAQs

Irish Sea Moss nutrition far exceeds that of any other plant or animal-based food that I know of. There are so many fabulous superfoods available on the market, and I have yet to try all of them. But I can say this, I love the benefits that I’m experiencing using Irish Sea Moss.

Let’s consider some of the questions we get asked regularly on the topic.

What are the Nutrients in Sea Moss?

Sea Moss is nutrient-rich, containing vitamins, minerals, and essential trace elements. Key nutrients include vitamins A, C, E, K, and B-complex, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, iron, zinc, selenium, and more.

It also contains amino acids, bioactive compounds, and dietary fiber. These nutrients work together to support overall health and well-being, making Sea Moss a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

What are the 10 minerals missing from Sea Moss?

Sea Moss nutrition is impressive, understood to contain some 92 of the 102 essential minerals our bodies need. The 10 minerals which are understood to be missing from Sea Moss include Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Uranium, Vanadium, Xenon, Ytterbium, Yttrium, and Zirconium.

Most of these minerals have no significant biological role or are toxic in large quantities, so their absence does not impact the overall health benefits of Sea Moss.

Does Sea Moss Burn Belly Fat?

There is no direct evidence to suggest that Sea Moss specifically targets belly fat. However, it is low in calories and high in nutrients, making it a healthy addition to a balanced diet.

Combined with regular exercise and a calorie-controlled eating plan, Sea Moss may support overall weight loss, which can contribute to a reduction in belly fat. This is attributed to the Fucoxanthin content in the seaweed.

But it’s essential to remember that Sea Moss is not a miracle solution for weight loss and should be combined with a healthy lifestyle to achieve desired results.

Does Sea Moss have Collagen?

Sea Moss doesn’t contain collagen itself, as collagen is an animal-based protein. However, it is rich in nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can help support the body’s natural production of collagen.

Some of these essential nutrients include proline, lysine, and glycine. By incorporating Sea Moss into your diet, you may indirectly support your body’s collagen synthesis, benefiting your skin, hair, nails, and joint health.

Is there Vitamin B12 in Sea Moss?

Sea Moss nutrition is quite diverse, containing many essential vitamins and minerals. However, Vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products, is not typically present in Sea Moss. Vegans and vegetarians should consider alternative sources, such as fortified plant-based milks, nutritional yeast, or supplements, to ensure adequate Vitamin B12 intake.

What is the bad side of Sea Moss?

Not all seaweed is created equal. There can be variations from harvest to harvest which are influenced by the quality of the water that the seaweed is growing in at the time. Sea Moss from areas that are not monitored for water quality from domestic, commercial, or industrial impacts may be high in pollutants and toxins. Care must be taken when procuring this seaweed to avoid sourcing a contaminated product. Deibertaly ingesting foods high in harmful elements and chemicals is one downside. Quality control measures must be in place to ensure food safety standards are met.

Does Sea Moss Affect Hormones?

Sea Moss nutrition has been linked to hormone balance due to its high iodine content. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, which regulates metabolism and growth.

While consuming Sea Moss may support healthy hormone levels, it is important not to overconsume iodine, as excess intake can lead to imbalances.

Is Sea Moss high in Zinc?

ea Moss nutrition is notable for its rich mineral content, including zinc. Although not considered the highest source of zinc, Sea Moss does contain a moderate amount, contributing to a balanced diet.

Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, and protein synthesis. Incorporating Sea Moss into your meals can be a way to help increase your intake of essential minerals like zinc, alongside other nutrients.

Conclusion

Sea Moss is a powerful superfood packed with essential nutrients and health benefits. With its rich mineral content, it offers a wide range of advantages, including immune system support, improved digestion, and skin health. Sea Moss may also contribute to weight management and collagen production.

While it lacks a few minerals, these are generally insignificant or toxic, and their absence does not detract from the overall nutritional value of Sea Moss.

By incorporating this natural and nutrient-dense food into your diet, you can reap numerous health benefits and support your body’s overall well-being.

Join the conversation on Instagram and Pinterest and share your thoughts!

References

  1. “Enriched accumulation and biotransformation of selenium in the edible seaweed Laminaria japonica” – X. Yan, L. Zheng, H. Chen, W. Lin, W. Zhang, October 2004 [PubMed] [Archive] ↩︎
  2. “Therapeutic importance of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds: updating the recent findings” – S. Patel, September 2012 [PubMed] [Archive] ↩︎
  3. “A concise review of the bioactivity and pharmacological properties of the genus Codium (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta)” – M. D. N. Meinita, D. Harwanto, J.-S. Choi., 13 October 2022 [SpringerLink] [Archive] ↩︎
  4. “Clinical and Physiological Perspectives of β-Glucans: The Past, Present, and Future” – K. M. I. Bashir, J.-S. Choi, September 2017 [PubMed] [Archive] ↩︎
  5. “Eat Up Your Seaweed” – The Irish Times Staff , 28 January 2000 [The Irish Times] [Archive] ↩︎
  6. “Carrageen” – The Wildlife Trust Staff, Last Checked 19 April 2023 [The Wildlife Trust] [Archive] ↩︎
  7. “Chondrus crispus Stackhouse, 1797” – M. D. Guiry, 21 December 2004 [WoRMS] [Archive] ↩︎

Last Updated on 1 month by D&C Editorial Team

22 thoughts on “Sea Moss Nutrition; The Powerful Facts About 92 Minerals”

    • Hi See Vang,

      Thank you for your comments.

      Yes, Sea Moss is a great mineral and nutrient-dense whole plant-based food.

      Are there any specific minerals that you are interested in learning more about?

  1. Hi Christine
    I really enjoyed reading your article. I have used sea moss for many years, however, not as a medicine. I am just 1 days starting from starting my journey using sea moss to heal chronic indigestion and a chronic dry cough.
    I prayed about a healing and the next day I woke up to prepare Jamaican style sea moss for a friend. My son asked me to write out the health benefits and alas it was everything I needed. So, here I go.

    • Hi Beverly,

      Thank you so much for your comment. I wish you all the very best with your healing journey.

  2. Hi was hoping for a link for the 102 minerals in the human body. Great article, thanks.

    • Thank you for your kind feedback, Jay.

      You’ll find a a copy of the periodic table here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_(nutrient) which may help in that it lists the elements that are known at this stage to have no known evidence of biological action in humans (mammals). I really appreciate the way this resource has been structured on Wikipedia in that you can see that there is room for more, and a better understanding.

      As we find more and more people are leaning towards health and wellness, nutritional studies and sciences are bound to benefit too, which gives me hope that as people, we will have access to better information to base our choices on.

      We are (and have been for a while now) working on an analysis of our sea moss to zero in on the minerals found within it. This is an expensive process, and take some time, but we’re making progress which is exciting.

  3. Great article! By any chance do you know all 92 minerals found in seamoss or the 10 that are missing?

    • Hello Marie,

      The complete analysis is something that I have never found substantive proof of. It is popularly believed that there are 92 minerals in Sea Moss, which we have been working through the process of completing the analysis of our Sea Moss to identify these and their typical concentration.

      This is a very lengthy and costly process, so I expect that we will be working towards this goal for a while.

  4. Thank you for the article, where do you suggest would be a good website to buy the (Irish Sea Moss)? ready to get started.

  5. Is the gracilaria moss as nutritious as the chondrus crispus? As in, does it also have the 92 minerals and nutrients the sellers claim?

    • Hello Jody,

      As far as the 92 minerals goes, that is a really good question, and one that we are working towards finding evidence of. There are quite a few minerals, and the ones you’ll read about on our site we know exist in Sea Moss.

      This has been popularly believed to be the case for quite some time now, however, in my years of being in this space, and with all of the research I’ve done. I haven’t been fortunate enough to see any evidence of an analysis substantiating the complete list of the 92 minerals in Sea Moss.

      As far as the difference between Gracliaria and C. Crispus goes, there are different nutritional characteristics on more than just a mineral level. This is far too big of a topic to cover in a reply to a comment, and we are working on a more comprehensive response to this as our Sea Moss holy grail.

      Keep your eyes peeled as we provide updates here as frequently as we can, and I hope to have something finalized in this area.

  6. Good afternoon. I would like to know where you purchase your sea moss from as I would like to make my own fresh gel. There are SO many distributors. Thank you!

    • Hello Michael,

      Thank you for your question.

      Aside from continuing to dig through different studies and journals, the only option would be to complete an analysis of the seaweed. There are quite a few vitamins and minerals that we know of which occur in Sea Moss.

      However, for all of the claims that are made about Sea Moss containing the 92 minerals, we have yet to complete the full scope of analysis on our Sea Moss, or find anyone who has undertaken this to substantiate the popularly held belief.

      We are working on this as a project with our Sea Moss, but there are many varieties of seaweed to begin with (some 35,000+ known species), and then the next factor to consider is what type of waters is the Sea Moss growing in? I don’t mean is it the ocean or a pool, but what naturally occurring elements are in the waters in the first place?

      The analysis we are doing is going to take quite a long time, and it is expected to be quite expensive. When we are able to present this information to our audience in a complete form it will be promoted as a point of noteworthy attention on our site.

      I hope that this helps you.

    • Hi Will,

      Personally, I have found 3 major benefits in my life when consuming Sea Moss regularly.

      1. It helps me with fasting as Sea Moss is a natural appetite suppressant. The fact it is high in minerals and low in calories also helps for extended fasts.
      2. On the note of high minerals, I also use Sea Moss as a supplement in foods or drinks to keep my immune system strong.
      3. Sea Moss helps to detoxify the body, making it great to help support a healthy gut biome. As someone who has had gut issues in the past, Sea Moss played a part in helping me detox and correct those issues.

      Hope this helps!

Comments are closed.

About the Author

Christine has long been on the path to optimal health. With a history of weight loss coaching she is driven by a passion for nutrition, health and wellness. Having grown up in Africa before migrating to New Zealand, and then Australia, she has seen very strong contrasts in quality of life and is driven to help others understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to life.

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