Is Sea Moss Good for You?

Published January 30, 2025 by Sara Oliver.

Thanks to sea moss, vegans can say “ahoy!” to new depths of fish-free seafood! Find out why using this marine plant is good for sea life, the environment, and your health.

What Is Sea Moss Good For?

Sea moss is an algae that grows primarily along the Atlantic coastline in Europe, North America, and the British Isles.

Sea moss is often harvested to extract its carrageenan, which the food industry uses as a vegan thickener. Because of its mild ocean flavor and jelly-like texture, it is frequently used in animal-free seafood products. Carrageenan is also sometimes on the ingredient list of vegan milk, jelly, baby formula, and toothpaste.

Due to its high nutrient density, sea moss gel is often added to smoothies or taken as a supplement. The gel can be flavored, like mango sea moss, or used with its natural flavor.

Assortment of different colored and types of fruit juices

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What Kind of Vitamins and Minerals Are in Sea Moss?

Vitamin B12 (supports the production of red blood cells and nerve function)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (support cardiovascular health and brain function)
Antioxidants (protects cells and tissues)
Iodine (essential for thyroid hormone production)
Zinc (supports immune function and wound healing)
Copper (plays a role in antioxidant activity)
Calcium (builds and maintains strong bones and teeth)
Magnesium (involved in muscle function and nerve health)
Iron (essential for oxygen transport in the blood)
Potassium (regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance)
Vitamin C (supports immune function and antioxidant activity)

Why Harvesting Sea Algae Is Better Than Fishing for the Environment

Sea moss is a renewable resource that, when harvested responsibly, doesn’t strain the environment, unlike the fishing industry. Using sea moss to create fish-free seafood is kinder to animals and the planet.

The fishing industry kills more fish each year than all other animals used for food combined. Scientists have proven that fish are bright, complex animals who feel pain, practice cultural traditions, and have cognitive abilities that often match or exceed those of their fellow vertebrates.

Workers in the fishing industry impale, crush, suffocate, cut open, and gut fish, often while they’re still conscious. Plus, thousands of whales, dolphins, and turtles are caught and killed in fishing gear as “by-catch” each year. Commercial fishing is also a major contributor to ocean pollution—an estimated 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made of discarded fishing gear.

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