VegVegan-news summer 2023

Most superfoods come to us as plant life from agriculture or the ground, however, seaweed including sea moss, algae, and kelp is marine life from aquaculture that grows in the ocean as shown above, and only shares some similarities to plant life.    It comes to us Westerners as the newest superfood craze in our search for more healthy foods and the quest for good health due to its nutrient-rich density. 

The similarity between the groups is that seaweed is the common name for red (sea moss), brown (kelp), or green algae.   All edible groups are vegan and gluten-free sources of vitamins and minerals.    

Brown algae or kelp is the most abundantly used because it is loaded with many important vitamins and minerals including vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, as well as small amounts of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.  

Sea Moss from the red seaweed family or Chondrus crispus is more nutrient dense and often consumed for medicinal purposes to combat illnesses from thyroid disease to weight loss and often used in self-care products.   But unlike brown algae, more information must become known about its efficacy in all areas of claimed benefits.  

There are some side effects associated with the consumption of too much sea moss as well as other forms of edible seaweed like ulcers, excess iodine, and arsenic with 2 to 4 tablespoons daily within the safe margin.  So it is very important the waters where edible seaweed is harvested are pollutant and contamination free.