8 Sea Moss Benefits You Might Not Expect
Much of what experts know about the benefits of sea moss comes from laboratory or animal studies. However, human trials are increasing, and seaweed’s long history as part of a human diet means it’s well-established as safe for regular consumption.1
Evidence shows that sea moss benefits your blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and more.
Diabetes/Blood Sugar Control
Research has found that sea moss may help with diabetes and blood sugar regulation. In one study of brown seaweed, participants saw a significant improvement in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests, an essential measurement of blood sugar control.2
Multiple reviews also report that sea moss positively impacts blood sugar levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. The effect appears to happen soon after consumption. However, the longer-term impact is unknown.1
Blood Pressure Regulation
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Research suggests sea moss may help lower blood pressure, possibly due to how your body processes sodium.1
Excess sodium consumption is linked to high blood pressure.3 Alginate and other compounds bind to sodium and will excrete it, which prevents the body from absorbing the sodium and, in turn, will not have the effect on blood pressure that sodium normally does.1
Other components in sea moss may have an effect similar to blood pressure medications called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Both the medications and sea moss inhibit the chemical known as angiotensin-converting enzyme.4
Studies show a dose of sea moss above 4 grams daily for about a month is needed to see the blood pressure benefits.1
Weight Control/BMI
In some research, sea moss appears to positively affect weight and waist circumference and has a slight impact on body mass index (BMI), which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature death.1
Consumption is needed to be fairly high—more than 4 grams (g) daily. Results also haven’t been consistent across studies; in one, the effects were seen only in males.1
Cholesterol/Blood Lipids
High cholesterol levels and other blood lipids increase your risk of heart and metabolic diseases. Sea moss is a high-fiber food; high-fiber diets are a known way to lower these levels.5
Studies are mixed as to seaweed’s actual effect on human lipid levels. Some research has found that sea moss consumption may lower levels of triglycerides (a fat in the blood) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).16 However, another study reported increased triglycerides after four weeks of a high-sea moss diet. 6
Other Benefits
Possible sea moss benefits with less evidence backing them include:
- Appetite: Some research suggests eating sea moss may help you feel full faster, but the evidence is weak.
- Thyroid function: High iodine content in sea moss may support thyroid health, but studies suggest it may raise levels too much and harm thyroid function.
- Oxidative stress: Many diseases are linked to oxidative stress, and antioxidants in brown gold sea moss appear to help alleviate oxidative stress.
- Blood mineral levels: Despite sea moss’s high levels of calcium and other minerals, studies have failed to show that the food can increase mineral levels in your blood.
