Aquamin® and Digestive Health
Aquamin® is a natural multimineral complex derived from calcified red marine algae. It is a natural source of calcium, magnesium, and additional trace minerals of marine origin.
Scientific research has investigated its potential effects on the intestinal mucosa, intestinal barrier, microbial environment of the colon, and biomarkers associated with inflammatory processes. The findings to date provide interesting insights; however, most of the available studies are relatively small pilot studies and require confirmation through larger-scale research.
Research on the Intestinal Barrier
The intestinal barrier consists of cells and protective structures that separate the body's internal environment from the contents of the digestive tract. Its proper function is important for the regulated passage of nutrients and for protecting the body from undesirable substances.
Researchers at the University of Michigan investigated whether regular Aquamin supplementation could influence proteins involved in the structure and function of the intestinal mucosa.
Results of a 90-Day Human Study
In a randomized study published in 2021, 30 participants were divided into three groups. For 90 days, they received Aquamin, calcium alone, or placebo.
Analysis of colon biopsies showed that Aquamin supplementation was associated with changes in the expression of several proteins involved in:
cell differentiation,
cell adhesion,
connections between cells,
the structure of the intestinal mucosa,
the function of the protective intestinal barrier.
The findings suggested that the multimineral complex may act differently from calcium alone. Because this was a small pilot study, further research is required to confirm these observations.
Source:
Aslam M. N. et al. (2021): A Multi-Mineral Intervention to Modulate Colonic Mucosal Protein Profile: Results from a 90-Day Trial in Human Subjects.
Read the full study:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/939
Research on Intestinal Permeability
In a pilot study published in 2026, researchers studied eight patients with mild ulcerative colitis or disease in remission and eight healthy participants. All participants received Aquamin for 90 days.
Intestinal permeability was assessed by measuring the amount of mannitol excreted in urine after participants consumed a test solution. In patients with ulcerative colitis, a 29% reduction in total mannitol excretion was observed after 90 days. The authors interpreted this result as preliminary evidence of improvement in one of the measured indicators of intestinal barrier function.
Aquamin was well tolerated during the study, and no serious adverse events were reported. However, due to the small number of participants, the findings cannot be considered definitive.
Source:
Aslam M. N. et al. (2026): A Multi-Mineral Intervention Is Associated with Improved Intestinal Permeability in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a Pilot Trial.
Read the full study:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1805900/full
Research in People with Ulcerative Colitis
In 2025, a 180-day pilot study involving 28 people with mild ulcerative colitis or disease in remission was published. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Aquamin or placebo. After 90 days, the placebo group also switched to Aquamin.
Among participants who received Aquamin for the full 180 days, researchers observed favorable changes in several measured parameters, including:
C-reactive protein,
fecal calprotectin,
alkaline phosphatase,
intestinal alkaline phosphatase,
histological assessment of inflammation in the intestinal mucosa.
Analysis of tissue samples also showed increased expression of several proteins associated with the intestinal barrier and decreased expression of certain proteins associated with inflammatory processes.
The authors considered the findings promising but preliminary. Based on these results, Aquamin cannot be considered a treatment for ulcerative colitis or a substitute for standard medical care.
Source:
Aslam M. N. et al. (2025): A Multi-Mineral Intervention to Improve Disease-Related and Mechanistic Biomarkers in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: Results from a Randomized Trial.
Read the full study:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0337408
Aquamin and the Colonic Environment
Another 90-day study investigated the effects of Aquamin on the gut microbiota and the metabolic environment of the colon. The study included 30 participants who received Aquamin, calcium alone, or placebo.
In the Aquamin group, researchers observed:
changes in the composition of the microbial community,
a reduction in total bile acids,
maintenance of concentrations of protective short-chain fatty acids,
an increase in acetate levels.
The significance of the observed changes in the microbiota is not yet fully understood. The authors therefore considered the findings preliminary and recommended confirmation in larger and longer-term studies.
Source:
Aslam M. N. et al. (2020): A Calcium-Rich Multimineral Intervention to Modulate Colonic Microbial Communities and Metabolomic Profiles in Humans: Results from a 90-Day Trial.
View the study in PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31771942/
Laboratory Research on Human Intestinal Tissue
Researchers have also investigated the effects of Aquamin on intestinal organoids created from biopsies obtained from nine patients with ulcerative colitis. Organoids are laboratory-grown models that reproduce some of the characteristics of human intestinal tissue.
Following the addition of Aquamin, increased expression of several proteins associated with the following was observed:
tissue strength and organization,
connections between cells,
interactions between cells and surrounding tissue,
cell differentiation,
intestinal barrier function.
Because this was a laboratory experiment, the findings cannot be directly considered evidence that the same effects occur following the consumption of foods or beverages containing Aquamin.
Source:
Aslam M. N. et al. (2020): Ulcerative Colitis-Derived Colonoid Culture: A Multi-Mineral-Approach to Improve Barrier Protein Expression.
What Does the Research Tell Us So Far?
Current scientific research suggests that the Aquamin multimineral complex may influence certain mechanisms associated with the structure of the intestinal mucosa, intestinal barrier, and environment of the colon.
These findings provide an interesting basis for further research. However, most available clinical studies involved a small number of participants and used precisely defined doses of Aquamin over periods of 90 to 180 days. The results therefore cannot automatically be extrapolated to every product containing Aquamin or to an individual serving of such a product.
Important Notice
The information provided on this page is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It describes findings from specific scientific studies and does not constitute a claim that Aquamin® or products containing Aquamin® diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Products containing Aquamin® are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, or professional medical care. People with medical conditions, those taking medication, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult an appropriate healthcare professional regarding the suitability of supplementation.