Sea moss, also known as Irish moss or Chondrus crispus, is a type of red seaweed that has become popular as a health food due to its mineral and fiber content. This seaweed naturally contains carrageenans, a family of polysaccharides responsible for its gelling properties. The confusion surrounding sea moss safety arises because these natural compounds are chemically related to the controversial food additive, commercial carrageenan. Understanding the distinction between the whole food and the refined extract is central to the safety debate.
The Source of Concern: Understanding Commercial Carrageenan
Commercial carrageenan is a refined food additive extracted from red seaweed and used widely as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer in processed foods, such as dairy alternatives and deli meats. The controversy stems from the difference between two forms of the extract: undegraded (food-grade) carrageenan and degraded carrageenan, also known as poligeenan. Degraded carrageenan is a low molecular weight compound that is not approved for food use and has been associated with harmful effects.
Poligeenan is a recognized inflammatory agent used in laboratory settings to induce inflammation in animal models. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by a World Health Organization agency. Food-grade carrageenan, which has a higher molecular weight, is generally considered safe by regulatory bodies.
However, the concern is that food-grade carrageenan may contain trace amounts of the degraded form. Some research suggests that the acidic environment of the stomach might cause the high molecular weight food-grade carrageenan to break down into the lower molecular weight, inflammatory poligeenan. This potential for degradation within the gastrointestinal tract is a major reason why some scientists advise caution regarding the refined additive.
The Key Difference: Whole Sea Moss vs. Refined Extract
The fundamental difference lies in the structural integrity and processing level between whole sea moss and the refined carrageenan extract. Whole sea moss is a complete food where the carrageenans exist as complex polysaccharides bound within the plant’s cell walls and fibers. In this whole-food form, the carrageenans are integrated with other nutrients, minerals, and soluble fiber, which impacts how they are digested.
Industrial carrageenan extraction involves a harsh process using heat and chemical treatment, often with alkaline solutions, to break down the seaweed structure. This method isolates, concentrates, and refines the carrageenan into a purified powder, separating it from the plant’s other components. The intensive processing alters the natural state of the polysaccharides, resulting in a product the body processes differently than the fiber-bound components in the whole plant.
In whole sea moss, the carrageenans are part of a high-fiber matrix that is not fully digestible, and this matrix governs the rate of release and interaction with the gut. Conversely, the refined carrageenan additive is a concentrated hydrocolloid designed for functional properties, such as thickening and gelling. The body processes the natural, complexly bound carrageenans in sea moss as a form of indigestible fiber, distinct from how it handles the isolated, highly concentrated, and structurally altered additive.
Current Scientific Consensus on Sea Moss Safety
Despite the controversy surrounding the refined additive, current scientific research does not link the consumption of whole sea moss to the same negative inflammatory effects. Sea moss has been used traditionally for centuries in various cultures, providing a context for its long-term consumption profile. When consumed in typical dietary amounts, the carrageenans within whole sea moss are considered part of its overall fiber content.
Some studies on sea moss extracts, which are minimally processed, suggest the presence of compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While the debate regarding the industrial carrageenan additive persists, there is a lack of substantial scientific evidence that whole sea moss causes the intestinal inflammation associated with poligeenan. However, consumers should be aware that sea moss is high in iodine, and excessive intake can potentially affect thyroid function.