Sea moss, also called Irish moss or Carrageen moss, is a type of red algae that grows along the Atlantic coasts. This edible sea plant is currently in the spotlight for its nutrients and potential health benefits.
Although research on sea moss for diabetes is still developing, its nutrients and the wider seaweed research raise interesting questions about diabetes nutrition.
Let’s investigate and find out what sea moss can really do for diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Do not replace your medical treatment with sea moss. Always ask for your doctor's advice first.
Sea Moss for Diabetics: 4 Nutrition and Research Questions
Sea moss contains natural compounds. Not all sea mosses are equal. Like with other seaweeds, the types and amounts of nutrients vary depending on the environment in which it has grown. We favor wildcrafted sea moss, like the sea moss sourced from Saint Lucia by Organics Nature.
Our St. Lucian Raw Sea Moss is wildcrafted, hand-harvested, and sun-dried—ready for you to turn into homemade gel.
Here are four questions about sea moss, its nutrients, and diabetes:
Can sea moss help with blood sugar and insulin resistance?
The question of how sea moss fits into diabetes nutrition is still being explored. Minerals such as magnesium play essential roles in glucose metabolism, and studies of those nutrients give us useful information to consider.
Sea moss contains minerals such as zinc and magnesium. These two minerals are involved in normal metabolism; the amounts in a sea moss serving depend on the seaweed and preparation. Our linked guide explores the familiar “92 of 102” description, essential nutrients, and trace elements.
Magnesium is involved in insulin signaling. Studies have explored how low magnesium relates to insulin resistance. Eating magnesium-containing foods helps meet this nutrient need. Some trials of magnesium supplements in people with type 2 diabetes have reported improvements in glucose control, while others have found different results. The NIH magnesium guide discusses these findings. These trials studied magnesium supplements, rather than sea moss.
Zinc is another essential mineral, and researchers have studied its role in diabetes nutrition. A review of 22 randomized trials in adults with type 2 diabetes reported improvements in blood glucose and HbA1c with zinc supplementation. HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) reflects average blood glucose over roughly two to three months. The trials used zinc supplements, with their own forms and doses. If you have a zinc deficiency or are considering a supplement, your clinician can help you choose an appropriate plan.
Additionally, studies have explored fucoxanthin and alginate, compounds associated with brown seaweeds. The fucoxanthin study used enriched akamoku oil in adults and found an HbA1c change in one dose group. The fiber study used extracted polysaccharides in pigs, including alginate from Laminaria digitata. These are interesting findings about those preparations, rather than a result established for red sea moss gel.
How are iodine, thyroid function, and diabetic kidney disease related?
Sea moss can contribute iodine, a mineral that is essential for thyroid function. Thyroid health and diabetes are closely related, which makes an appropriate iodine intake worth considering.
Indeed, evidence suggests a close relationship between diabetes and thyroid disorders. This small gland located in the front of the neck produces hormones that are vital for your metabolism. Both hyperthyroidism (the thyroid produces too many hormones) and hypothyroidism (the thyroid produces too few hormones) have impacts on diabetes and blood sugars. Your clinician can help assess thyroid function and manage these conditions together.
Besides, a study of 4,559 adults with type 2 diabetes found an association between low urinary iodine and diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of diabetes’ serious complications. It looked at existing iodine status and kidney disease rather than giving sea moss or iodine treatment, so it helps frame the nutrition question without establishing prevention.
Thyroid dysfunction can affect metabolism and blood sugar management. Symptoms such as temperature changes, muscle weakness, and fatigue are worth discussing with your doctor. They can have several causes, so an assessment can help you understand what’s happening.
The iodine naturally found in sea moss is absolutely essential for thyroid function, as the gland can't produce hormones without iodine. The body does not make iodine itself, so this mineral must be brought through diet and supplements like sea moss or other seaweeds such as kelp, nori, kombu, or wakame. Fish, seafood, eggs, and dairy products also contain good levels of iodine. Getting an appropriate amount of iodine from your overall diet supports normal thyroid function.
Adults are recommended to get about 150 micrograms of iodine daily from all sources. For Organics Nature’s Mango Pineapple Sea Moss Gel, the label serving is 2 tablespoons (30 g). The iodine contribution depends on the preparation. Consuming too much iodine can affect thyroid function, so ask your clinician about total intake if you have thyroid concerns.
Related article: Find out how much sea moss you should take daily
Can sea moss fit into a weight-management routine?
Weight management is another common question about sea moss. If you enjoy it as an ingredient, consider it within the complete meal. Our sea moss and weight-loss guide explores the topic. Here are four useful points to consider:
- Fiber-rich foods can help with fullness and satiety. The fiber contribution of sea moss depends on its preparation and serving.
- Body-fat and weight goals depend on your eating and activity routine. The fucoxanthin study discussed above found no change in body weight or visceral fat.
- Seaweed carbohydrates are being studied for digestive and prebiotic effects, making gut health an interesting area to explore.
- Food choices and regular physical activity work together in weight management and diabetes care. Plan sea moss recipes as part of that overall routine.
Weight and type 2 diabetes are closely related. Weight loss has a direct, proven, and huge impact on diabetes management. Weight control is even a part of diabetes therapies. The amount of weight loss that helps depends on the person and their care plan.
Include sea moss within a diabetes-friendly eating plan if you enjoy it. Think about the complete recipe and portion, including fruit, milk, and sweeteners, alongside your weight and blood sugar goals.
Sea moss gel can be low in calories and contain little fat. Recipes and ingredients make a difference. To give you an example, one serving—2 tablespoons (30 g)—of Organics Nature’s Mango Pineapple Sea Moss Gel contains:
- Calories: 10
- Fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 2g
- Dietary fiber: 0 g
Related article: Zoom in on sea moss' nutrition facts
What about cholesterol and heart health?
People with diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cholesterol problems. Food choices, activity, and your prescribed care all matter here. It’s understandable to wonder where sea moss and wider seaweed research fit in.
Very little research has been conducted on sea moss and heart health. One laboratory study of seaweed compounds explored anticoagulant activity in extracts of the brown seaweed Dictyopteris delicatula. It offers an interesting research question, but it didn’t test LDL cholesterol or heart-disease prevention in people eating sea moss.
Sea Moss & Diabetes: FAQ
The effects of sea moss on diabetes aren’t fully understood yet and research continues to explore the topic. Remember that diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Ask for your doctor's advice before adding a seaweed supplement. Meanwhile, here are a few facts about sea moss for diabetics:
Can diabetics take sea moss?
Sea moss can be enjoyed as food, but your preparation, serving, and health needs matter. If you have diabetes, consider it alongside your medications, kidney and thyroid health, and eating plan. Ask your clinician about the specific product, especially if you have other health conditions.
Excessive iodine intake can affect thyroid function and diabetes management. Follow the directions for your chosen product; dried seaweed and gel have different compositions. The Mango Pineapple jar lists 2 tablespoons (30 g) per serving. Ask your care team about your total iodine intake when needed.
If you take blood-thinning medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding a seaweed supplement. In any case, if you have a chronic condition or take medicine, bring the specific ingredients and serving directions to that discussion.
Can sea moss cure diabetes?
No. Sea moss cannot cure diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission with medical and lifestyle care; that is different from a sea moss cure.
Sea moss can be an ingredient in your eating routine. For blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, weight, and heart or kidney complications, work with your diabetes care team on the treatments and habits suited to you.
Stopping your diabetes medications can be very dangerous. Sea moss is not meant to replace your medical treatment and any use as food or a supplement should fit your care plan.
Can sea moss help with diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of diabetes' most common complications. This type of nerve damage primarily affects the hands and feet and can be extremely debilitating.
There’s very little research on sea moss and diabetic neuropathy. One study, “Neuroprotective effects of the cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans model of Parkinson’s disease,” explored a seaweed extract in worms. It found effects on experimental Parkinson’s markers, giving researchers a question to explore further; it didn’t test diabetic nerve damage or nerve pain in people.
Vitamin B12 helps with normal nerve function and red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy. Sea moss is not a reliable B12 source, so if a deficiency is suspected, ask your clinician about testing and suitable B12 treatment.
Can sea moss be taken with Metformin?
Metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication that helps lower blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your specific sea moss product before adding it, so they can review the ingredients alongside metformin.
Metformin may cause vitamin B12 deficiency. Your clinician can check for this and arrange B12 treatment if needed. Sea moss isn’t a reliable source for replacing B12; continue metformin as prescribed.
Overall, sea moss offers interesting nutrition and research questions. Enjoy it as an ingredient if it suits your routine, keep your diabetes care plan in place, and follow the research as it develops.
References:
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- Mikami N, Hosokawa M, Miyashita K, Sohma H, Ito YM, Kokai Y. Reduction of HbA1c levels by fucoxanthin-enriched akamoku oil possibly involves the thrifty allele of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1): a randomised controlled trial in normal-weight and obese Japanese adults. J Nutr Sci. 2017 Feb 14;6:e5. doi: 10.1017/jns.2017.1. PMID: 28620480; PMCID: PMC5465861.
- Vaugelade P, Hoebler C, Bernard F, Guillon F, Lahaye M, Duee PH, Darcy-Vrillon B. Non-starch polysaccharides extracted from seaweed can modulate intestinal absorption of glucose and insulin response in the pig. Reprod Nutr Dev. 2000 Jan-Feb;40(1):33-47. doi: 10.1051/rnd:2000118. PMID: 10737549.
- Chen C, Chen Y, Zhai H, Xia F, Han B, Zhang W, Wang Y, Wan H, Wang N, Lu Y. Iodine nutrition status and its association with microvascular complications in urban dwellers with type 2 diabetes. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2020 Aug 17;17:70. doi: 10.1186/s12986-020-00493-5. PMID: 32821267; PMCID: PMC7433180.
- Magalhaes KD, Costa LS, Fidelis GP, Oliveira RM, Nobre LT, Dantas-Santos N, Camara RB, Albuquerque IR, Cordeiro SL, Sabry DA, Costa MS, Alves LG, Rocha HA. Anticoagulant, antioxidant and antitumor activities of heterofucans from the seaweed Dictyopteris delicatula. Int J Mol Sci. 2011;12(5):3352-65. doi: 10.3390/ijms12053352. Epub 2011 May 23. PMID: 21686189; PMCID: PMC3116195.
- Liu J, Banskota AH, Critchley AT, Hafting J, Prithiviraj B. Neuroprotective effects of the cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans model of Parkinson's disease. Mar Drugs. 2015 Apr 14;13(4):2250-66. doi: 10.3390/md13042250. PMID: 25874922; PMCID: PMC4413210.