How To Differentiate Between Sea Moss & Other Seaweeds? | An Easy Guide

 

Ahoy there, sea lovers! Are you a fan of ocean delicacies and looking to spice up your diet with some nutritious sea greens? Well, you are in luck because today we are going to dive deep into the world of seaweeds. 

Do not confuse your sea moss with kelp or your nori with your dulse! It is easy to get lost in the sea of seaweed. This is why we have prepared an easy-to-understand guide on how to differentiate between sea moss and other seaweeds.

Grab your snorkel and let us get started on this underwater adventure!

Seaweed is a multicellular alga found in the repels of oceans and has three colour groups. Sea moss is part of one of those groups. That's only one difference; read below the comparison of sea moss vs. seaweed to master the identification of both. 

 

Sea Moss and Seaweed

Firstly, it is important to note that sea moss is part of the seaweed family but not all seaweeds are sea moss.

Seaweed is a multicellular alga found in the depths of oceans and has three major groups, distinguished by colour (red, brown, and green). Seaweed is an umbrella term containing different macroalgae types. Meanwhile, sea moss comes under seaweed and belongs to the red algae group of seaweed.

 

Types of Sea Moss:

• Irish Moss (Chondrus Crispus) is one of the most popular types of sea moss and is usually spotted near the rocky coastlines of the North Atlantic. 
• Jamaican Sea Moss (Eucheuma Cotton) grows in the Caribbean region.
• Gracilaria (Gracilaria) Gracilaria can be found on the coasts of Asia and South America.
• Kappaphycus Alvarez is commonly found in the coastal regions of Southeast Asia.

For a more detailed blog on different types of sea moss, have a look here.

 

Types Of Seaweed:  

Red Algae (Rhodophyta)

Red seaweeds are beautiful red-coloured algae that capture attention with their colour and potential health benefits. These seaweeds have healing and mucilage properties, which makes them best for treating skin issues. 1

Some of the common red seaweeds are below:

1. Sea Moss
2. Nori
3. Dulse
4. Eucheuma
5. Guso
6. Ogonori
7. Coralline Alga 

Brown Algae (Phaeophyceae)

Brown seaweeds are the tallest ones among all seaweeds. Their colour can be anywhere from yellow to brown. These algae have the highest iodine and fucoxanthin levels. Some of the brown algae are:

1. Bladderwrack
2. Arame
3. Kombu
4. Sugar kelp
5. Wakame 
6. Hiromi
7. Sargassum

Green Algae (Chlorophyta)

Green algae are edible and best to add to the daily diet to consume the most iron and magnesium. The most common green seaweeds are:

1. Chlorella
2. Gutweed
3. Sea grapes
4. Ulva
5. Spirogyra

Are Sea Moss and Seaweed the Same?

Both sea moss and seaweeds have a healthy nutrient profile and enrich your skin and organ health; however, they differ.

 Read further to know about their differences:

Nutritional Content:

Both sea moss and seaweed are exceptionally rich in nutrients.

Sea moss, or carrageen moss, is a type of red algae, and it is rich in iodine, magnesium, potassium, iron, and Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.

Culinary Uses:

Sea moss is usually used as a thickener in recipes, such as stews, soups, and smoothies. It is also used as gelatin in jellies and puddings. Moreover, sea moss is suitable for eating raw, cooked, or used as a gel.

On the contrary, seaweed is only used in cooked form as a flavour enhancer in dishes such as miso soup, sushi, and seaweed salad.

 Potential Health Benefits:

 Sea moss contains 

• Antioxidants and immune-boosting nutrients. 
• It is rich in iodine, which may help prevent chronic diseases and enhance thyroid function.
• Sea moss is best known for using it for skin and hair, as it helps fight infections and allergies.

Whereas seaweed is 

• Rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties
• Control cholesterol levels
• Support weight loss
• Improve gut health
• Can prevent cancer 

Seaweed doesn't only stop there. It has several more benefits, some of which we have mentioned below:

 

Benefits of Seaweeds

• Iodine wealthy

Iodine supports thyroid function, and seaweeds such as Kelp do the same since they are a rich source of iodine.

• Heart Health Enhancer

Fibres, antioxidants, fucoxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of a heart attack. 2 These nutrients will keep your heart healthy, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• Immune-Boosting

Immunity is the talk of the town every time, especially after covid. When everyone wants to be fit and healthy, green seaweed leveraging its Vit A and C content, can help to strengthen your immune system.

• Gut Friendly

Seaweed supports Gut health with its fibre and folate aid. Acid reflux and stomach ache will run away once you start consuming seaweed.

• Cancer Prevention

There is no cure for cancer; it is mostly the warning that rings in our ears, right? But wait, seaweeds may reduce the risk of cancer. Read this blog to know more about it!

• Weight Loss

Tried many diets and exercises, but your belly is persistent in not getting any slimmer? Use brown seaweed; it will assist you in losing weight. 

• Improve Brain and Bone Functioning

The antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats in red seaweeds are believed to help make stronger neurotransmitter signals and prevent cognitive loss. 3

Moreover, calcium and magnesium in seaweed can prevent you from suffering bone issues such as osteoporosis.

• Prevents Aging

The peptides in seaweeds will help your skin tighten and slow your ageing process, making you feel young for longer. 4

• Maintains Blood Sugar And Cholesterol Levels

Some researchers have also claimed that fibre in seaweeds can benefit people, Whereas Chinese medicine prioritizes seaweed due to its benefits in reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Conclusion

After a detailed discussion on sea moss and seaweed, it is concluded that major kinds of seaweed including sea moss is good for mental and physical health.

Acknowledging the differences between them will help you choose the best algae according to your needs and level up the quality of your life. 

After learning about the immense benefits of sea moss, if you look forward to incorporating it in your routine, do have a look at UK’s No.1 sea moss supplier, Myla’s Moss. We provide the safest, organic, pure sea moss gel jars to our customers right at their doorstep.

 

FAQ's

What is the downside of Seamoss?

Sea moss has high iodine content, and some people are iodine intolerant. It can make sea moss harmful to them. Also, if it is not grown properly, it may contain toxic metals.

Which form of sea moss is most effective?

All types of sea moss have their benefits and demerits. The most effective one depends on your individual preferences and needs.

Which seaweed is healthiest?

Some of the healthiest seaweed are sea moss, Kelp, Wakame, and nori. Learn about their properties to decide which one will best fit you 

 

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1. Yu, G., Zhang, Q., Wang, Y., Yang, Q., Yu, H., Li, H., ... & Fu, L. (2021). Sulfated polysaccharides from red seaweed Gelidium amansii: Structural characteristics, anti-oxidant and anti-glycation properties, and development of bioactive films. Food Hydrocolloids, 119, 106820.
2. Riccioni, G., D’Orazio, N., Franceschelli, S., & Speranza, L. (2011). Marine carotenoids and cardiovascular risk markers. Marine Drugs, 9(7), 1166-1175.
3. Haskell-Ramsay, C. F., Jackson, P. A., Dodd, F. L., Forster, J. S., Bérubé, J., Levinton, C., & Kennedy, D. O. (2018). Acute post-prandial cognitive effects of brown seaweed extract in humans. Nutrients, 10(1), 85.
4. Jesumani, V., Du, H., Aslam, M., Pei, P., & Huang, N. (2019). Potential use of seaweed bioactive compounds in skincare—A review. Marine drugs, 17(12), 688.

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