Riding the Wave: Why Seaweed Drinks Like OoMee Are Making a Splash 🌊

From ocean to fridge, this seaweed drink is changing the game

Imagine sipping the sea. Not in a salty way, but in a cool, refreshing drink. This lightly fruity drink helps your gut, controls your cravings, and has less than 5 grams of sugar.

Welcome to the world of seaweed drinks! Meet OoMee, a fun and refreshing drink that is sustainable and changes how we stay hydrated.

Let's dive deep into why seaweed drinks are trending, how OoMee is different, and what makes this ocean-powered drink a rising star in the beverage world.

1. The Seaweed Drink Trend: Why Now?

Consumers are waking up to the effects of sugar, ultra-processed ingredients, and environmental impact. More than 70% of Americans are trying to cut down on sugar (Statista, 2024). This has led to a rise in demand for clean, functional, and sustainable drinks.

Enter Seaweed Drinks

Seaweed, especially red algae like the kind OoMee uses, is a healthy marine plant. It has been a key part of East Asian diets for many centuries. It’s now making waves in Western health circles for its health and sustainability benefits. 

And we’re not discussing green algae shots or slimy broths. We’re discussing light and refreshing drinks that help curb cravings. They contain nutritious seaweed like agar-agar, which is the magic ingredient in OoMee.

2. What Is OoMee? And Why Is It So Different?

OoMee is not just another flavored water or sugary sports drink. This drink is not overly carbonated and does not taste like medicine. A new kind of beverage exists—light, satisfying, and made with real functional benefits in mind.

At just 20 calories per can, OoMee contains no added sugar, no chemical additives, and no gluten. Instead, they make it with agar-agar extracted from red algae. This gives OoMee its signature soft jelly-like texture, helping you feel fuller longer—like a snack and drink all in one.

In Japan, agar-agar is known as a marine powerhouse. It can absorb up to 100 times its weight in water.

This makes it effective for supporting appetite control. Agar-agar expands in your stomach, increases satiety, and promotes regular digestion by supporting your gut microbiome. In other words, it keeps you full and helps things move along naturally.

These days, many forms of seaweed drinks exist, and not all of them offer the same quality.

Many beverages on the market today use sea moss, a type of green or purple algae popular in gel or smoothie form. Sea moss is full of minerals like iodine and magnesium. However, it has a strong ocean taste and a thick, gooey texture. Some people may not like this.

OoMee is different.

Thanks to agar-agar, which has no fishy taste or strange texture, OoMee tastes just like a refreshing fruit juice. No seaweed flavor, no weird mouthfeel—just a clean, fruity experience.

And the best part? People are always surprised to learn there's absolutely no added sugar. We hear it all the time from those who try OoMee for the first time:

“Wait, this tastes just like juice”

“Wow, this is really good. Much better than I imagined”

Plus, OoMee is shelf-stable and easy to take anywhere. Unlike sea moss gels that need refrigeration, OoMee is made for busy, modern lives. You can toss it in your gym bag, sip it at your desk, or drink it to stop late-night cravings.

Here’s what sets OoMee apart:

• Zero added sugar
• Naturally vegan & gluten-free
• Made with Seabiotics™ (marine nutrient formulation from agar-agar)
• Shelf-stable and easy to take on the go
• Ocean-farmed ingredients = minimal environmental impact

OoMee isn’t just hydrating—it’s nourishing, functional, and crave-curbing. It’s a refreshing break from sugary drinks and a smarter way to sip.

3. Agar-Agar: The Magic Red Seaweed

At the core of OoMee is a lesser-known but incredibly powerful ingredient: agar-agar.

So… what exactly is agar-agar?

What Is Agar-Agar?

Agar-agar is a natural gelling agent. It comes from red algae, a type of seaweed found in East Asia. Chefs have used it in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cooking for centuries. It is popular in jellies, desserts, and as a plant-based substitute for gelatin.

Unlike gelatin, which comes from animal collagen, agar-agar remains completely vegan, and gluten-free. But what makes it so interesting is what it offers:

• High fiber content (over 80% dietary fiber)
• Gut supporting properties (feeds your gut’s good bacteria)
• Satiety support (makes you feel fuller for longer)
• Gentle on digestion (helps promote regularity)

When dissolved in hot water and cooled, agar forms a soft, jelly-like texture—light, refreshing, and satisfying. That’s the secret behind OoMee’s unique texture. It’s not watery, but not overly thick either—just enough to feel like a light snack.

In Japan, people often recommend agar-agar for dieting or fasting. It can swell to 100 times its weight in water. This helps people feel full while consuming very few calories. It’s been nicknamed “kanten,” or “miracle fiber,” for exactly that reason.

How Does Agar-Agar Compare to Other Prebiotic Ingredients?

Let’s look at how agar-agar stacks up against other popular thickening and prebiotic fibers:

Ingredient	Source	Vegan	Gut-Friendly	Texture	Water Usage	Carbon
Agar-Agar	Red algae	✅	✅	Soft jelly	Very low	Very low
Gelatin	Animal collagen	❌	Partially	Bouncy	High	High
Inulin	Chicory root	✅	✅	Thick/liquid	Medium	Medium-High
Pectin	Fruit peels	✅	✅	Gel-like	Medium	Medium

Compared to land-based fibers like inulin and pectin, agar-agar is:

• Grown in the ocean, not on land
• Requires no freshwater, fertilizer, or pesticides
• Helps absorb carbon dioxide during growth (a climate win!)

So while inulin drinks might support your gut, they come with a higher environmental cost. OoMee, on the other hand, taps into the power of the ocean to deliver the same benefits—with a lighter footprint.

In short: agar-agar is the secret ingredient that makes OoMee work. It gives the drink its crave-worthy texture, helps keep you full, and does all of it with minimal environmental impact.

That’s why people call agar-agar a super fiber from the sea. 

4. Seaweed vs. Traditional Crops: A Sustainability Story

Let’s talk about where this seaweed comes from.

Seaweed doesn’t need land, freshwater, fertilizers, or pesticides to grow. It absorbs carbon dioxide, supports marine ecosystems, and regenerates naturally. OoMee takes this a step further:

OoMee's Agar-agar is sourced from a local seaweed farmer that:

• Upcycles 2,800+ tons of seaweed residue annually into fertilizer
• Powered by renewable energy like solar and hydropower
• Uses low-impact farming methods that support ocean biodiversity

Most prebiotic drinks use land-grown fibers like chicory root (inulin) or corn-derived soluble fiber. These crops require large amounts of land, irrigation, and energy to process—especially when grown at scale.

In contrast, seaweed:

• Requires no freshwater or arable land
• Absorbs 20x more CO₂ per acre than terrestrial plants
• Has a fraction of the carbon and water footprint of land-grown crops

Check out our CEO & Chief Seaweed Officer experiencing seaweed farming.

5. Health Benefits of Our Ingredient: Seaweed Drink OoMee made with Seabiotics™(agar-agar)

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff: What can a seaweed drink do for you?

Appetite Control

The soluble agar-agar expands in your stomach, helping you feel full longer. That means fewer cravings, less snacking, and better portion control.

“Agar tends to make people feel full, so they might stop eating earlier than they otherwise would,” says WebMD.

Gut Health Support

Agar-agar can help feed your good gut bacteria and supports microbiome balance—a key factor in immune health, mental health, and digestion.

Low Glycemic Impact

OoMee has no added sugar. This makes it good for keto, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly diets.

Weight Management

Studies suggest that seaweed-based fibers may support metabolic health and aid in healthy weight maintenance.

“Agar was shown to reduce body weight and fat in a 16‑week study of 76 people with type 2 diabetes,” reports Verywell Health

6. When to Drink OoMee?

OoMee fits into your routine like a wellness cheat code—whether you’re fasting, running to practice, or just trying to stop snacking at night. It’s not just a drink; it’s your secret weapon for keeping cravings in check while supporting your gut and goals. Here’s how people are working it into their day:

• Morning Reset: Start your day light but satisfied
• Pre/Post-Workout: Skip the sugary sports drinks. Drink like this
• Midday Snack Swap: Beat the 3PM slump with a low sugar option
• Late-Night Craving Buster: A satisfying, guilt-free dessert swap
• During Intermittent Fasting: Keeps you full without breaking your fast
• On the Go: A clean, convenient option for busy days

Try this: Strawberry Hibiscus Matcha Affogato with OoMee

7. Where to Find OoMee

You can sip the ocean at:

• Sprouts Farmers Market
• Raley’s
• And more…

🌊 Use our Store Locator to find OoMee near you

🛒 Or grab it now on Amazon

8. Are There Any Risks with Seaweed?

We designed OoMee to be safe for everyday drinking—and we take sourcing seriously. Here’s why you can sip with confidence:

• We get our agar-agar from Japan's top agar maker. People recognize them for their strict quality checks and eco-friendly methods. So just premium, food-grade agar from a company trusted for about 70 years.

9. Final Sip: Why OoMee Is the Seaweed Drink to Watch

The seaweed drink movement is just getting started—and OoMee is at the crest of the wave.

With:

• Only 20 calories, functional formula
• Sustainable sourcing and ocean-positive practices
• A unique texture that makes hydration fun again

—OoMee is more than a beverage. It’s a better way to drink.

So next time you reach for something refreshing, crave-curbing, and clean—make it an OoMee.

Ready to Ride the Wave? Shop OoMee Now: In-store or Online

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