What Are Sea Moss Gummies? Health Benefits, Risks, More - Everyday Health

While Irish sea moss gummies likely taste pretty good thanks to additional ingredients like elderberry and apple juice, and are generally tolerated by many, there are some things to be aware of before you buy your first container.

First, a general precaution regarding sea moss. "We still have a lot to learn about the safety and efficacy of sea moss," says Kimberlain. "Where sea moss is harvested can change its nutritional value, which means that it's quite variable in what it may provide depending on where it was grown." Discover some of the risks and side effects of Irish sea moss.

Risks

They May Contain Heavy Metals

A reason to think twice before buying? "One important note is that sea moss can contain heavy metals," Kimberlain says. According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), heavy metals are metals and metal compounds like mercury and lead that can negatively impact a person's health. In very small amounts they are necessary for life, but in large amounts they can be toxic, OSHA adds.

They May Up Inflammation

While carrageenan (which is found in sea moss) has long been used as a thickening agent in processed foods, and some studies do show it has health-promoting aspects, it has created a buzz in the past few years because some say it can lead to inflammation and other health woes.

Research has raised some of these red flags. For example, a review published in May 2017 in Frontiers in Pediatrics found that carrageenan in foods might create an inflammatory response in the intestine. Researchers often give animals carrageenan in studies to produce intestinal inflammation, and they note that human cells likely respond in the same way (though more studies need to be done to determine the impact of carrageenan).

They Contain Iodine

While manufacturers of sea moss tout the iodine it contains as a benefit, Kimberlain notes that too much iodine can create issues. "If there are excessive amounts of iodine consumed, that can lead to thyroid problems," says Kimberlain. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that excess iodine can lead to too much thyroid hormone production, which can lead to hyperthyroidism.

"People with Graves' disease, Hashimoto's, or thyroiditis would not want to consume foods that affect or impact their thyroid, when they're already managing conditions that impact their thyroid," Kimberlain adds.

One study, published in the August 2020 issue of Environmental Science and Pollution Research International looked at 30 samples of red seaweeds sold at stores, and found that Irish moss had the highest iodine content, and its levels can greatly contribute to the recommended daily intake of iodine for children (thus, children may want to avoid sea moss, considering they require a lower amount of iodine and they're likely getting it from other sources).

They Are Likely Not Safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Because of the potential heavy metals, which groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warn against, high iodine levels (one past study says even a little excess iodine is too much for pregnant women), and the lack of research on these gummies, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid them. For these reasons, children should probably skip them, too.

There's been a lot of talk that taking these gummies might improve fertility, but there's zero research directly showing they have any impact in that department.

They Aren't Strictly Regulated

Sea moss gummies are considered a supplement rather than a food, and with that comes a host of questions. The FDA does not assess the safety and efficacy of supplements before they're sold, it notes, meaning there's been no official sign-off on any of these products. Because of that risk, you should talk with your doctor or registered dietitian before taking these gummies.

They Likely Pose Risks for Those on Blood Thinners

If you're on blood-thinning medication, you'll want to think twice before taking sea moss gummies. That's because sea moss was found to have blood-thinning properties in a study published November 2017 in the journal Natural Product Research.

Side Effects

Sea moss gummies may increase your intake of iodine, and people may experience these side effects if they consume too much iodine, according to the National Institutes of Health:

• Burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weak pulse
• Coma

Also, heavy metal poisoning can induce these side effects, according to MedlinePlus: