Pilates Self-Care Saturday: Sea Moss and its benefits

Original dried sea moss resting on a kitchen table, ready for soaking and preparation.

Sea moss keeps popping up in wellness conversations. Usually with big promises and loud claims. So let’s slow it down and talk about what it is, why people use it, and where common sense needs to step in.

Sea moss is a type of red seaweed. Irish sea moss, Chondrus crispus, grows in cold Atlantic waters. People have used it for generations, long before social media decided it solved everything.

Traditionally, sea moss was soaked, boiled, strained, and turned into a gel. No fancy branding. No health halos. It went into drinks, soups, or porridges. Quiet and functional.

The interest today sits around minerals. Sea moss contains iodine, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, sulphur compounds, and soluble fibre. The exact mix shifts depending on where it grows and how it is harvested. Nature refuses consistency.

People often report better digestion. That links to the soluble fibre. Fibre feeds gut bacteria and supports the gut lining. When digestion improves, energy often follows. Not because of magic. Because the system works better.

There is also talk around joints, skin, and hydration. Minerals support tissue health. Hydrated tissue tends to move better. Skin often reflects internal balance. Again, boring biology doing its job.

The thyroid conversation matters. Iodine supports thyroid function. Too much iodine stresses it. This is where enthusiasm trips people up. More does not equal better. Daily use over long periods makes no sense for most bodies.

Source matters more than hype. Sea moss absorbs what sits in the water around it. Poor sourcing risks heavy metals. Cheap products raise questions. Trusted suppliers answer them.

Sea moss works best as a short-term support. Think weeks, not lifestyle identity. Add it.

Observe. Remove it. See what changes. The body gives feedback if you bother to listen.

If someone sells sea moss as a cure for everything, that is your cue to step back. Real self-care stays grounded. Quiet improvements beat dramatic promises.

Sea moss fits into that category. Useful. Limited. No drama required.