With the movement of society into more varied dietary habits, and the search for new ways to get essential vitamins and minerals, sea moss has entered the supplement market. Sea moss is commonly taken as a supplement by vegan and vegetarian individuals because it contains many minerals primarily found in animal products such as Omega-3 fatty acids.
Whole Foods traditionally offers many options for those following a plant-based diet, however, currently, they do not carry a sea moss supplement. They do carry two sea moss products; a face mask and juice.
What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss (Chondrus Crispus) is a type of red algae. It is often called Irish moss or Carrageen moss. Sea moss is often used as a dietary supplement because it is a rare plant-based source of Omega-3 fatty acids. There is also some evidence that eating seaweed may contribute to a healthy circulatory system and lower the risk of high cholesterol (these results are unconfirmed however).
Sea Moss at Whole Foods
While Whole Foods does carry supplements, they do not have a sea moss-based supplement. As a result, they do not have any vegan-friendly Omega-3 supplements. However, the company does carry two other sea moss-containing products.
Organic Sea Moss Exfoliator by Cocokind
While this product isn’t edible, it certainly contains sea moss. It purports to exfoliate the skin with a mineral-rich cream, and lead to healthier skin overall. Vitamins and minerals can be absorbed topically into the outer layers of the skin, so this claim holds water. However, such a product is unlikely to raise blood levels of Omega-3.
Mango Seamoss Juice by Kamuni Creek
This product is a delicious juice containing sea moss. It’s a fun twist on the previous trend of adding leafy greens like kale and spinach to juice and smoothies. If you would prefer to drink your vitamins rather than take pills, this is a great way to add them to your diet. However, as with all juices, beware of added sugars.
Who should not take sea moss?
Sea moss has shown anticoagulant properties in preliminary studies, meaning that those who take blood thinners should steer clear. In addition, little to no research is available on the effects to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Can you have too much sea moss?
Yes, you can have too much sea moss. One of the things prevalent in seaweed is the mineral Iodine. Some Iodine is healthy for the body because it is used in hormone production by the thyroid. However, too much iodine can cause a sort of poisoning, and result in a thyroid condition.
How often should I take sea moss?
One teaspoon of sea moss per day is an appropriate serving for an adult human. Going slightly over this is unlikely to have negative consequences, but you should never drastically exceed the recommended dose.
Final Thoughts
Whole Foods only carries two sea moss products, neither of them supplements. However, sea moss supplements are still new on the market. I would not be surprised if Whole Foods starts carrying sea moss supplements in the future since they typically cater well to the vegan market.