Spirulina is becoming increasingly popular and rightly so. The healthy blue-green algae is rich in valuable nutrients and strengthens the immune system. What makes spirulina so healthy and what positive effects a regular intake brings with it, you will be in this article.
No 1. Healthy nutrient bomb
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium found in saltwater lakes but also in freshwater. A common name for spirulina includes blue-green algae or blue-green algae.
The capacity of Spirulina to photosynthesize, exactly like plants, is what makes it so unique. Plants use the process of photosynthesis to transform sunlight into energy.
Even the ancient Aztecs, as well as the African natives, used Spirulina as a food source. For generations, knowledge about the healing power of the healthy blue-green algae was passed down in these cultures.
Today, spirulina is a popular dietary supplement and can be found in powder form as an ingredient in many superfood smoothies. Whether you are omnivorous, vegetarian, or vegan, the high nutritional value makes spirulina appealing to everyone.
Just one tablespoon with 7 grams of spirulina provides 4 grams of high-quality protein. Because of this, spirulina is especially well suited for boosting the protein content of fresh vegetable juices and smoothies. It is also a good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, iron, and copper.
According to the WHO, spirulina is being produced specifically in many regions of Central Africa and India because of its high protein and vitamin content, in order to counteract malnutrition among the populations living there.
REMINDER.
A great source of high-quality, plant-based protein is spirulina. It is also rich in many B vitamins, iron, and zinc.
No 2. Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to diseases like heart attacks and strokes. Getting your blood pressure under control lowers your risk of dying from the effects of coronary heart disease.
The popular blue-green alga could contribute crucially to the normalization of blood pressure. Even a little more than half a tablespoon of spirulina a day showed positive effects on blood pressure in many study participants.
For example, the administration of 4.5 grams of spirulina over a period of six weeks led to a drop in systolic blood pressure of around 10 mm Hg. This is a truly significant result, especially considering the small amount of spirulina that was able to bring about this effect.
REMINDER
Even small amounts of Spirulina can significantly lower blood pressure. In one study, as little as half a tablespoon a day was enough to produce a measurable change.
No 3. Could protect against oral cancer
Animal studies show that spirulina could be a potent tool against cancer and tumor cells. Scientists found that the activity of antitumor killer cells in mice was increased by daily administration of the microalga, allowing the cells to better fight off unwanted cancer cells.
This effect could also be confirmed in humans. Spirulina seems to inhibit cancer growth, especially in oral cavity cancer.
In a study of Indian patients, it was observed that all those who consumed one gram of spirulina daily over a period of one year had a 38 percent higher regression rate than all those who did not consume spirulina.
REMINDER.
Studies show that spirulina can help the body fight tumor cells. Especially in the case of oral cancer, the microalgae can have a preventive effect and support healing.
No 4. Removes heavy metals from the body
More and more often one hears that microalgae like spirulina are supposed to be particularly healthy because they eliminate heavy metals from the body.
It is doubtful whether it is necessary in this country to take special measures against heavy metals. The quality of our food and drinking water is generally good and heavy metals only find their way into the human body in small quantities.
However, in countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Chile, heavy metals such as arsenic can actually become a problem for the health of the population, where drinking water is often contaminated with arsenic.
One study examined the effect of spirulina extract and zinc on patients with chronic arsenic poisoning. In fact, it turned out that patients in the spirulina group recovered better from their heavy metal poisoning than those patients who received only a placebo. They excreted more arsenic and also remained free of side effects of any kind.
No 5. Improves cholesterol and blood lipid levels
The risk of developing coronary heart disease is made up of many factors. One of these factors is blood cholesterol levels. Another important factor is the triglyceride level. Both factors could be positively influenced by small amounts of spirulina in one study.
While triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels decreased, the concentration of healthy HDL cholesterol increased. This effect was observed in another study over the course of twelve weeks with as little as one gram of spirulina per day.
REMINDER.
Even very small amounts of spirulina a day can have a positive effect on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, protecting the heart and brain from heart attack or stroke.
No 6. Possibly improves athletic performance
For athletic activities, the body consumes oxygen. This process produces metabolic products that cause the muscles to feel weak and tired.
Antioxidants from plants and microalgae like spirulina can be powerful antagonists when it comes to fighting these oxidative processes.
Two studies demonstrated that Spirulina ingestion improved the endurance of athletes and reduced the time to muscle fatigue.
In contrast, another study found no effect on endurance. However, participants showed an increase in muscle strength.
No 7. Lowers the blood sugar level.
In the long run, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to diseases such as type 2 diabetes and promote the development of obesity.
For patients with diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels, spirulina may be of particular interest, as studies show that regular intake can dramatically lower blood sugar levels.
In one study, blood glucose levels could be reduced by up to 64 percent at an elevated blood glucose level of 250 mg/dl.
Another study was able to confirm this effect. After taking two grams of spirulina daily for two months, the researchers found that the average blood glucose level was significantly lower than before they started taking it.
Spirulina even trumped the effect of the diabetes drug metformin in experiments with mice. Of course, this result cannot be directly transferred to humans. However, it clearly shows the potential that spirulina has in the diet of people with diabetes.
REMINDER.
People who take spirulina daily can significantly improve their blood glucose levels. This has numerous benefits for both diabetics and healthy people.
No 8. Helps with allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis – also known as allergic rhinitis – can be relieved by spirulina.
The allergic reaction is usually caused by animal dander, dust, and pollen. A study of 127 subjects showed that allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching, as well as running and nasal congestion, improved significantly when subjects consumed spirulina.
However, further studies are needed to explain the exact mechanisms behind this effect.
REMINDER.
Spirulina helps with allergic rhinitis. Ingestion improves many of the allergic symptoms. However, the mechanisms behind this effect are not yet well understood.
Spirulina is simple to incorporate into a regular diet
We now know that spirulina is healthy and could be a useful addition to many people’s daily diet. But there still remains the problem of ingestion. Since spirulina is a microalgae, the taste of the powder is quite reminiscent of the sea and could be a bit unpleasant for many people.
Fruity smoothies and smoothie bowls offer a wonderful way to use spirulina in cooking. There are no limits to your creativity there. We recommend combining sweet fruits like bananas and spirulina powder. A flat teaspoon of spirulina is perfectly sufficient for the healthy effect and thus remains in the background in terms of taste.
If you do not want to use powder, you can alternatively use organic Spirulina pellets. These can be taken quickly and easily and compress the healthy healing power of the super algae in a small space. They also come without unnecessary fillers.
Knowledge to go
Spirulina is a healthy cyanobacterium that is taken in the form of powder, tablets, or pressed pellets. It is particularly rich in protein and provides numerous nutrients such as vitamins B1, B2, and B3, as well as iron and copper.
Here are some references that you can use to learn more about the health benefits of spirulina: