Sea Moss Could Be The New Health Craze
It seems that every year brings a new wave of health food fads, from avocado toast to cauliflower rice to bee pollen. Many are influenced by social media — like the sea of influencers on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok — or by celebrities who evangelize what they swear is the latest and greatest wellness hack. According to a OnePoll survey, 74% of Americans are willing to try out a trendy food if it's healthy (via The New York Post).
As 2022 draws to a close, yet another health trend has popped up on TikTok, and this one is even more bizarre and, well, interesting than the others. Apparently, sea moss gel is the new thing to eat. Yes, really. It first took off on TikTok with Hailey Bieber's viral skin smoothie, which she got from trendy L.A. grocery store Erewhon and which thousands of fans have recreated at home in hopes of reaping the same glowy complexion benefits. Now, more and more people are getting in on the sea moss craze — and it turns out there might be some science behind the fad. Here's what you need to know, including whether or not sea moss is actually good for you.
Experts say it could have a lot of benefits
Spoiler: Not every "health food" on TikTok is healthy. But it seems that sea moss, according to health experts, may in fact have some brain- and body-boosting benefits. For starters, the edible seaweed (or algae) is very low in calories and fat yet high in vitamins and minerals. Healthline reports that it contains a lot of iodine, which can help with thyroid and cognitive function, and fiber, which can boost digestion and gut health. Sea moss is also rich in iron and magnesium, and can even help your muscles. "The various nutrients in sea moss not only help build muscles and maintain muscle health but also help maintain a healthy bone structure," Dr. Carrie Lam told Forbes.
Want to try it for yourself? There are a variety of ways to incorporate sea moss into your diet (even if you don't live near an Erewhon store). You can blend it into a smoothie a la Mrs. Bieber, mix it into a glass of juice, or stir it into soups and stews for an extra boost. You can find sea moss gel online or in most health food grocery stores.