Best Sea Moss Types: Avoid Common Mistakes

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Sea moss is lusciously nutritious, but choosing the right kind isn’t that simple. You need to avoid synthetic moss and select a high-quality product to benefit your lifestyle. That’s why we’re here. We’ll take you through what to look for when choosing sea moss and what to avoid. We’ll also share a quick rundown on why you should consume sea moss and how it enhances your wellness.

Sea moss: what is it?

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Sea moss is a sea vegetable found in tidepools and along the coastlines of the British Isles, Europe, and North America. It grows all year in tufty clumps with fan-shaped fronds. The colour varies from deep greens, blacks, and purples to yellow-green and brown, depending on where it is sourced.

What’s the difference between Irish moss and sea moss?

Sea moss is an umbrella term for all different moss types that grow in the ocean. Simply put, all Irish moss is sea moss, but not all sea moss is Irish moss. Irish moss grows in cooler climates, whereas other types of moss prefer warm water, like the Caribbean and Africa. When you search ‘Irish sea moss,’ all different kinds of sea moss can appear. So, make sure to check the ingredients if you want Irish sea moss specifically.

Which is better, Irish moss or sea moss?

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Irish moss and sea moss have similar health properties, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose. Irish sea moss is rarer and also native to the European coastline. So, if you live in that part of the world, you may want to choose Irish sea moss. This is because it won’t have travelled as far and, therefore, retains more of its nutritional value.

The best health benefits of Irish sea moss

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Before we get into choosing how to select premium-quality sea moss, we’ll give a quick breakdown of all its benefits.

Lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes - Sea moss is excellent at regulating blood sugar levels, reducing the chances of developing diabetes. The best sea moss for diabetes is naturally grown and rich in nutrients.
Has anti-ageing properties - Consuming sea moss is beneficial because it’s abundant in amino acids, which help your body build collagen. This keeps your skin cells firm and elasticated, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

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Increases stamina - The benefits of using sea moss is that it improves circulation. The result is that your essential organs (such as your lungs, heart and liver) receive oxygen and nutrients regularly, enhancing your energy.
Bursting with fibre - Eating sea moss benefits include getting a high dose of fibre, which supports gut health and promotes an excellent digestive system.
Reduces inflammation for a natural pain reliever - Sea moss is abundant in anti-oxidants which soothe swollen and aggravated cells. This provides natural pain relief, like reducing joint pain and mild headaches. You can reap the benefits of drinking sea moss by brewing the moss into tea whenever you experience aches and pains.

How to choose the best sea moss

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Selecting a high-quality product is essential whether you choose Irish sea moss or regular sea moss. If you don’t, you won’t get the benefits of raw sea moss. Unfortunately, many wellness brands sell moss that’s poor quality or unethically sourced. So ensure you look out for the below features when choosing the best sea moss for health and beauty

Check that it doesn’t look ‘perfect’

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Natural and organic produce grows in all shapes, sizes and colours because they aren’t genetically grown. For instance, homegrown vegetables are often wonky and are all unique. But these veggies don’t sell as well because they’re not perfectly straight or one shade. However, that’s how you know they’re natural and not genetically modified.

Some brands synthetically grow sea moss in a controlled pool rather than sourcing it from the ocean. This gives the moss an aesthetically pleasing look as the fronds, colour and size are very similar. But it’s also the first sign of poor-quality moss.

What is the colour of your sea moss?

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When unpackaging your sea moss, check for different shades of colour. Natural sunlight creates darker and lighter patches and tones on ocean-grown sea moss. But if it’s all the same colour, it could indicate synthetically grown moss. In some cases, the moss may have been bleached and dyed to look the same, and that’s definitely something you don’t want to ingest.

Make sure it’s not covered in rock salt

As sea moss dries, the water evaporates, leaving behind a natural powdery sea salt residue. When it’s artificially grown, companies add salt to make it look and taste more authentic. If the grains of salt are large and look more like rock or table salt, you may want to steer clear. It indicates that the moss was never grown in the sea but in a controlled environment where the salt was added afterwards.

Is it mixed with other ingredients?

Ensure you check the full ingredients list before you purchase sea moss. Depending on which one you choose, it should say 100% sea moss or 100% Irish sea moss. If it contains anything else, search for a different brand. Sea salt naturally preserves the moss, so it shouldn’t contain added artificial colours or preservatives.

The best Irish sea moss

Now you know what to look for, it’s time to choose the best sea moss. Grape Tree’s Irish Sea Moss is ethically sourced from the coastlines of France. It’s 100% Irish sea moss, with no added extras or synthetic ingredients.

Not sure what to do once you’ve got your sea moss? Check out 5 Simple and Inexpensive Ways to Eat Irish Sea Moss. We cover everything from Irish moss tea benefits to topping your ice cream with raw sea moss. The article also advises how much you should eat every day.

Enjoy sea moss benefits with Grape Tree

Choosing the right sea moss can feel like a minefield, but we’ve got you covered with our 100% Irish sea moss. Sprinkle over your yoghurt, put on top of ice cream, whizz into a smoothie or brew a cup of sea moss tea. Savour beautiful raw sea moss with Grape Tree.

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