How Sea Moss Supplements Can Stave Off Winter Flu by Tracy Achonwa
Vogue’s top sea moss supplements at a glance:
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As with many traditional medicines, there has historically been little clinical research to support the reputed health claims. However, in recent years, studies have begun investigating the properties of sea moss, revealing its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumour potential.
What science does know is that the seaweed is home to dozens of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including magnesium and vitamin C. “Sea moss has gained popularity largely because it’s rich in trace minerals, especially iodine, which is essential for healthy thyroid function,” board-certified endocrinologist Dr Jolene Brighten confirms. “The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy, mood, and even menstrual regularity.” Iodine also plays a role in immunity, and combined with other nutrients in sea moss, can help give your defences a boost.
Read on for a guide to the best sea moss supplements we’ve tried and their benefits, plus expert advice on how best to use them.
Erewhon Sea Moss Gel
Erewhon Sea Moss
Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’ve ever wondered what sea moss was inside Hailey Bieber’s famed Skin Glaze smoothie, you’re looking at it. Made with high-purity moss sourced from pristine waters, it gets its colour from full-spectrum varieties of the seaweed that keep the whole food and its carotenoids intact. This confers broader benefits than highly processed options do, hence the hefty price tag.
Revive Collagen Concentration & Clarity Drink
Revive Collagen
Concentration & Clarity Drink
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Irish sea moss is just one of many superfoods in Revive’s collagen blend, which is geared at boosting overall wellness as it supports healthy hair, nails and skin. In liquid sachets infused with an apple concentrate, they’re a particularly delicious way to reap the benefits, and easy to take with you, too.
Omoss Organic Sea Moss Beverage
Omoss Organic Sea Moss Beverage
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Former pro athlete Marley Finn drew on his Caribbean roots and the demands of an active lifestyle when founding his range of ready-to-drink sea moss supplements. “Experiencing the health benefits of sea moss first-hand inspired me,” he says. Thus, Omoss was born, a functional beverage brand that forgoes artificial additives and flavourings to preserve the essence of the wild Irish moss in its drinks. It sips smooth, but retains a slight viscosity from the moss, which lets you know you’re drinking the real deal. We love that each bottle offers adaptogens (think: lion’s mane and ashwagandha) to reduce fatigue and help offset stress.
Sipzen Sencha & Yuzu Sea Moss Cold Brew Tea
Sipzen Sencha & Yuzu Sea Moss Cold Brew Tea
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Sipzen’s drinks use a clever extraction process to yield a concentrate of all the best bioactives in sea moss, bypassing the slimy consistency that often deters users from trying the superfood. Combined with Chinese herbal tea for immunity, ginseng, maca root and yuzu, they go down smoothly and are slightly sparkling, which makes each sip refreshing. “The first time I tried this supplement, I was blown away by how energising it is. It works in minutes to get you to a place of calm focus without the mid-morning crash of regular caffeinated drinks,” says beauty writer Tracy Achonwa.
Erewhon Sea Moss Gummies
Erewhon Sea Moss Gummies
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Wild sea moss is high in carrageenan, a thick gelling substance that the food industry has used in items like jellies, gravies and ice cream for years. Here, it makes for a guilt-free, natural alternative to sweets, combined with organic fruit extracts and coconut sugar that are pleasant to chew on. You can take up to four gummies per day whenever you need a pick-me-up and reap several benefits – we found they were particularly effective for soothing a sore throat. Editor’s tip: These are made of pure sea moss gel with zero preservatives or gelatin in the formula, so keep them refrigerated to protect your investment.
Wyldherbs Strawberry Fields Sea Moss Gel
Wyldherbs Strawberry Fields Sea Moss Gel
Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you can’t quite stomach the marine taste of pure sea moss, Wyldherbs' range of pureed fruit-infused gels may be the supplements for you. Foraged in pristine Caribbean waters to ensure each batch is free from contaminants, they are combined with antioxidant superfruits (blueberry and strawberry, to name a few) that elevate the flavour profile, as well as adding bonus benefits.
“This sea moss made an immediate difference. After eating, I noticed how smooth and regulated my digestion had become. The recommended dose is a tablespoon or two per day, and this is truly sufficient to reap the benefits. Spread it over sourdough or in a yoghurt bowl, and it almost tastes like a jam. The pure jar, containing only sea moss gel, has a mild ocean taste, making it better suited to stirring into curries and stews. It's also safe for the face and has done incredible things for my skin when used as a DIY mask.”
FAQs
What is sea moss good for?
Sea moss is high in mucilage which can soothe irritated membranes in the respiratory tract. It can be beneficial during flu season thanks to its antibacterial properties and potassium chloride content, which helps dissolve catarrh.
The high fibre content of sea moss may also help improve digestion. Emerging studies suggest it is rich in prebiotics which can support a healthy gut microbiome.
Sea moss is rich in lipids, antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E, which make it great for topical application on skin. Used as a mask, it can boost hydration and calm inflammation for a radiant, balanced complexion. Ingested, its high vitamin C content helps support healthy collagen production.
Sea moss contains iron and magnesium, both of which can help combat fatigue.
Does sea moss actually work?
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest sea moss has benefits for health. However, when it comes to replicable clinical trials, research validating the claims is limited. Studies supporting its medicinal uses have so far only been preliminary.
Dr Brighten adds that the mineral content of sea moss is highly variable depending on the species and growing conditions, which makes consistent dosing difficult. As supplements are rarely standardised, it’s worth noting that effects may vary from brand to brand.
“Despite advertising from several providers of sea moss products, there are no scientific studies to be found (on PubMed, the federal source for published scientific work) claiming any effects on blood pressure or cardiovascular health,” notes Dr Ernst von Schwarz, a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. “Therefore, it might be worthwhile and timely to conduct a study on sea moss’s effects on the vascular system.”
Who should not use sea moss?
Because of its iodine content, people with thyroid disorders – in particular those with hyperthyroidism – should abstain from sea moss, says Dr von Schwarz. And even in healthy people, excessive consumption should be avoided. Dr Brighten concurs: “More isn’t always better, especially when it comes to iodine. Excessive iodine intake can actually disrupt thyroid function, particularly in people with autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto’s or Graves.”
If you are pregnant, or allergic to seafood, sea moss is not recommended. Always consult your doctor for the best medical advice when introducing supplements, especially if you are taking any other prescribed medications.
What to look for in a good sea moss supplement
Sea moss gels that are wild harvested from protected or pristine waters are the best form to buy, because they are likely to be free from additives and contaminants. They also keep the full nutritional profile of the algae and trace minerals from the ocean in which they are sourced. These gels are generally absorbed better by the body, too.
Pool grown, or farmed sea moss is often more cheaply available because it can be mass produced year round in a controlled environment. However, these options do not grow with access to ocean minerals and may be processed with additives.
“Some authors are concerned about the potential of heavy metal contamination,” says Dr von Schwarz, which is a common complaint in some powdered supplements. If you prefer shopping sea moss powders or capsules, look for dried sea moss that is independently tested for safety and purity. Avoid formulas of obscure origins, or those with added preservatives and artificial bulking agents in their blend.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Ernst von Schwarz MD, PHD is a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, who has published hundreds of scientific papers in international Medical Journals.
- Dr Jolene Brighten is a board-certified endocrinologist and expert author of several women's hormonal health books.