Spirulina is a blue-green algae, and is believed to be one of the oldest life forms on Earth.
First used by the Aztecs as an endurance-booster, spirulina is considered a super food — an all-in-one source of nutrients including protein levels comparable to eggs.
The Aztecs also used spirulina to treat various diseases, and legends say that the kingdom’s messengers used the algae to sustain their marathon runs. Modern research supports many of the alleged benefits of taking spirulina, and continues to study its potential for treating health concerns. Spirulina has a bitter taste, so people often mix it with yogurts, juices, and smoothies to improve its flavor. Spirulina is commonly available as a supplement at health food stores.
Health Benefits of Spirulina
Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements.
It is loaded with
various nutrients and antioxidants that may benefit your body and brain.
Is Extremely High in Many Nutrients
Spirulina is an organism that grows in both fresh and salt
water.
It is a type of
cyanobacteria, which is a family of single-celled microbes that are often
referred to as blue-green algae.
Just like plants,
cyanobacteria can produce energy from sunlight via a process called
photosynthesis.
Spirulina was consumed
by the ancient Aztecs but became popular again when NASA proposed that it could
be grown in space for use by astronauts.
A standard daily dose of
spirulina is 1–3 grams, but doses of up to 10 grams per day have been used effectively.
This tiny alga is packed
with nutrients. A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder
contains:
- Protein: 4 grams
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 11% of the
RDA
- Vitamin B2
(riboflavin): 15% of the RDA
- Vitamin B3
(niacin): 4%
of the RDA
- Copper: 21% of the
RDA
- Iron: 11% of the
RDA
- It also contains
decent amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese and small amounts of
almost every other nutrient that you need.
In addition, the same
amount holds only 20 calories and 1.7 grams of digestible carbs.
Gram for gram, spirulina
may be the single most nutritious food on the planet.
A tablespoon (7 grams)
of spirulina provides a small amount of fat — around 1 gram — including both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty
acids in
an approximately 1.5–1.0 ratio.
The quality of the
protein in spirulina is considered excellent — comparable to eggs. It gives all
the essential amino acids that you need.
It is often claimed that
spirulina contains vitamin B12, but this is false. It has pseudovitamin B12,
which has not been shown to be effective in humans
Powerful Antioxidant and
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Oxidative damage can
harm your DNA and cells.
This damage can drive
chronic inflammation, which contributes to cancer and other diseases.
Spirulina is a fantastic
source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage.
Its main active
component is called phycocyanin. This antioxidant substance also gives
spirulina its unique blue-green color.
Phycocyanin can fight
free radicals and inhibit production of inflammatory signaling molecules,
providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Can Lower “Bad” LDL and
Triglyceride Levels
Heart disease is the
world’s leading cause of death.
Many risk factors are
linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
As it turns out,
spirulina positively impacts many of these factors. For example, it can lower
total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising
“good” HDL cholesterol.
In a study in 25 people
with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina per day significantly improved these
markers.
Another study in people
with high cholesterol determined that 1 gram of spirulina per day lowered
triglycerides by 16.3% and “bad” LDL by 10.1%.
Several other studies
have found favorable effects — though with higher doses of 4.5–8 grams per day
Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria — often referred to as
blue-green algae — that is incredibly healthy.
Many antioxidants in spirulina have
anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Chronic inflammation contributes
to cancer and other diseases.
Phycocyanin — the a plant pigment that gives spirulina its blue-green
color — has been found to not only reduce inflammation in the body, but also
block tumor growth and kill cancer cells. The immune-enhancing protein
is being studied for its potential in cancer treatment.
Research has found that the protein in
spirulina can reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, lowering
cholesterol levels. This helps keep your arteries clear, reducing strain on
your heart that can lead to heart disease and stroke-causing blood
clots.
Reviewed by It's Trending
on
April 24, 2021
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