However, most of the available research has been done in labs looking at components of sea moss plants under a microscope. There are nearly no clinical studies that look at whether its purported claims are seen in people who consume sea moss, or more specifically in people who take sea moss supplements, such as gummies, Kimberlain says.
Plus, the ingredients in sea moss gummies vary from brand to brand, which means their potential benefits do too, she adds.
Sea Moss May Provide Valuable Nutrition
As previously mentioned, sea moss is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Sea moss also contains antioxidants, says Kimberlain, which are substances found in food and supplements that can help prevent cell damage in the body.
But it’s worth noting that the researchers came to those conclusions by studying seaweed in a lab, and they didn’t follow people taking seaweed or sea moss supplements to see if they were linked to the health benefits typically associated with antioxidants.
Moreover, gummies may not always contain the same nutrients as raw sea moss or seaweed. “It’s essential to read the ingredient list to confirm what the gummy is made of,” Kimberlain says.
Sea Moss (or Seaweed) May Benefit Gut Health
But, Kimberlain notes: “This is a preliminary finding.” Again, the study was done in seaweeds in general, and it only suggests that the same might be true of sea moss. Furthermore, if the findings hold true for sea moss, additional research would be needed to confirm that they also apply to sea moss supplements, including gummies.
Sea Moss May Lower Your Cancer Risk
“The components found in sea moss showed signs of anticancer activity, which is promising,” says Kimberlain. The study also noted that carrageenan could make anticancer drugs more effective.
Still, much more research needs to be done. The studies were conducted in mice or test tubes, Kimberlain says, and they would need to be conducted in humans. And once again, these findings may not apply to sea moss gummies.
Sea Moss Might Help Support Your Immune System
However, this review focused on seaweeds as food, not as supplements or gummies, and most studies that test the impact of sea moss or seaweeds on the immune system have been done in a laboratory setting, notes Kimberlain. “Thus, human studies must be conducted to show whether sea moss gummies should be part of people’s immune-supporting arsenal,” she says.
Sea Moss Could Be Heart Healthy
The authors also pointed to seaweed’s potential heart-healthy components, including potassium (which you will get from sea moss in small amounts), flavonoids (which are substances that act as antioxidants), and fiber. However, while sea moss does contain fiber, it’s a modest amount, Kimberlain says — and most sea moss gummies don’t deliver much fiber.
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