As with every wacky wellness trend, it’s often tricky to sort the scams from the miracle staff. While something like perineum sunning, for instance, is downright dangerous, other trends – similar to meditating your approach to clearer skin – have some truth to them and may actually be super effective.

Immediately, one of the hyped-up products within the wellness world is sea moss. On TikTok, #seamoss has over 400 million views, Google searches for ‘sea moss’ have skyrocketed, and Kim Kardashian and Cardi B have each revealed that they’re fans of the product. Sea moss users have claimed that the complement has helped them with a variety of issues, from dropping pounds to having higher sex and clearer skin – but what’s it exactly, and may it really boost your health like TikTok says?

WHAT IS SEA MOSS?

‘Sea moss’ is a generic term which covers various species of algae which grow in coastal waters, and probably the most famous of those is Chondrus crispus – commonly called Irish moss or carrageen moss. “It’s because Irish moss was [eaten] throughout the famine of Ireland,” explains Tee McKen, co-owner of The Sea Moss Boss.

It grew in popularity after Irish immigrant labourers brought the moss to Jamaica, where locals served it as a drink boiled in milk with sugar or honey, plus various spices similar to vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. High in calories and wealthy in protein, Irish moss soon became a favorite amongst athletes and bodybuilders, and it’s been presupposed to have a big selection of other health advantages.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Sea moss’s status as a superfood has gained traction after going viral on TikTok, where videos allege thon the complement can assist with a variety of issues, including weight reduction, irritated skin, libido and fertility. “I wish I knew about this earlier,” @healthyholisticheals wrote on TikTok, singing sea moss’s praises. “I don’t feel so drained after work, my cycle isn’t irregular anymore, don’t get sick easily anymore, getting compliments on my skin.” One other user, @liv.ingwell, affirms that it’s had a noticeable impact on her skin. “Everybody says this, however the fundamental thing I’ve noticed is the difference in my skin – I feel more glowy.”

“Despite the fact that it has been used for a whole bunch of years, sea moss is trending now because of the teaching of the late Dr Sebi,” McKen explains. “He was a herbalist who was known to cure different diseases. He [believed] that sea moss could cure and heal all ailments.” It’s price noting here that Dr Sebi, AKA Alfredo Bowman, never accomplished any medical training and in 1987 was arrested (after which acquitted) in Latest York for practising medicine with out a license after claiming he could cure AIDS with herbal remedies.

Despite this, a fast Google shows that companies have leapt at the possibility to tap into the ocean moss trend. Sea moss is out there in a wide range of forms: it’s not only sold ‘raw’, but in addition as pills, powders, lotions, gummies and, mostly, gel. All this begs the query – does it actually work, or is that this just one other instance of the wellness industry marking up and shilling a dud product for profit?

DOES IT WORK?

First things first, sea moss isn’t FDA-approved and there’s been little or no research into its efficacy. While one study conducted on rats suggests sea moss may support gut health and immune response, further research is required before scientists can draw any conclusions about sea moss’s advantages in humans.

McKen says that while she thinks sea moss’ growing popularity is a superb thing – “it’s a more sustainable way of consuming minerals and vitamins”, she says – it’s unfortunately also given rise to some businesses shilling ‘fake’ sea moss, “without doing their due diligence on where the product is coming from, or even when it’s the fitting species of moss.” She adds that increased demand has resulted in an increase of sea moss grown on ropes in pools within the Caribbean. “All sea moss must be naturally and organically grown to ensure that the moss to achieve its mineral density,” she explains, adding that rope-grown moss has “no nutrients”.

But, equally anecdotal evidence suggests that the advantages could be great if you’re using good quality sea moss. Kerry Torrens, a registered nutritionist, explains that “sea moss, like other sea vegetables, absorbs trace minerals from the seawater it grows in. This makes it nutrient-rich and a useful source of among the harder-to-get nutrients, just like the mineral iodine.” It’s also great for gut health, heart health, and may balance blood sugar levels and act as an antioxidant.

In line with McKen, it will possibly also help “expel mucus from the body, regulate blood pressure and brain function, help digestive issues, and it’s high in magnesium and calcium which helps with bone, muscle and tissue repair.”

It’s totally secure, too – provided you do your research. “Sea moss is secure to eat carefully,” McKen says. “But as they are saying, an excessive amount of of anything is bad for you. Some species of sea moss have higher iodine levels than others and may affect thyroid function if you’ve gotten an overactive thyroid.”

Torrens adds that an excessive amount of iodine can even affect the health of your baby when you’re pregnant, or interact with certain medications like warfarin. “Plus, sea moss can absorb heavy metals like mercury, arsenic and lead – most research suggests levels are below maximum concentration allowances, but again when you eat sea moss and other seaweeds commonly, you need to bear this in mind.”

As with most supplements, moderation is vital. But when you’re careful, it seems like there are myriad advantages to spooning a dollop of sea moss gel into your morning tea or coffee.