Spirulina- A free-floating biomass of Cyanobacteria, i.e blue-green Algae is literally, hands down, ‘ the super-food of the Era’ and is considered to have many benefits in its many forms, including powder.
Major dietary requirements are covered by this nutrient-dense superfood. It is of so much importance that it is actively recommended and given as dietary support for long term Space missions!
So it is one of the superfoods that literally flew up to Mars!
Spirulina is also considered a superfood as it provides maximum nutritional benefits for minimum calories. This helps in rapid digestion and less accumulation of fats in the body. Isn’t this amazing?
Spirulina consists of about 60% of the protein content. This makes it an A1 dietary supplement for people opting for vegetarian or vegan sources of Protein.
The main active component of Spirulina is Phycocyanin, which promotes the regeneration of blood cells. Further, this improves immune function and enhances the disease resistance of the body. This pigment also gives green-blue colour to the algae.
This doesn’t end here! Spirulina is a rich source of essential vitamins, dietary minerals and other major nutrients. Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Copper, Iron and omega-6, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium are some of the major nutrients.
Now let’s dive into some researched backed health benefits of Spirulina!
Spirulina for Mental health
Spirulina is a good source of tryptophan(the amino acid which produces serotonin). Thus boosting serotonin levels in the body is one of its functions. Serotonin is the mood-stabilizing hormone. This, in turn, results in a better mood and helps balance the mind and control symptoms of depression and anxiety. Research states that including Spirulina in your diet may reduce signs of depression and anxiety too!
Spirulina for Weight Loss & Gut Health
Spirulina powder increases the metabolism of the body and maintains the well-being of the digestive system.
Preserving gut bacteria is something that Spirulina helps in as it does not have many fibres even when it comes in powder form. It also helps boost the immune system, owing to its quality of providing maximum nutritional benefits for minimum calories. This helps the person lose weight and stay healthy as well.
Helps with Heart Diseases and Reducing High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Spirulina works as a vasodilator, which means it helps your blood vessels to relax and dilate. This in turn helps in reducing high blood pressure.
Research also states that Spirulina increases the level of good cholesterol HDL and reduces bad cholesterol LDL from the body. Lowering the increased cholesterol helps in preventing heart disease.
Now since Spirulina helps to check both Hypertension and LDL. These are responsible for various heart conditions such as stroke, attack, blockage, etc, it helps prevent various heart diseases.
Antitoxic and Anti-Cancer Properties
Spirulina helps in killing pollutants in water bodies and liquids with its anti-toxic properties. Spirulina helps in counteracting various pollutants inside the body, including heavy metals like Arsenic and Mercury due to its anti-toxic properties. Using Spirulina as a supplement aid for clinical cases of pollutant poisoning was suggested by a 2016 research.
Reducing the size of tumour cells is another benefit that Spirulina may have. It may prove to be a major breakthrough in the field of oncological research.
Spirulina for Diabetes
The anti-oxidant function of Spirulina helps in reducing the sugar levels in the blood. It also increases insulin levels and actively help in managing type2 diabetes.
Reduces Malnutrition
With reference to the high nutritional value, it is evident that this alga can be used for improving the overall health of a community and country. Developing countries with high poverty rates and population can benefit by using Spirulina in powder form. It is proving to be a boon for thousands of anaemic women and malnourished children in the world.
Isn’t it amazing that one small alga has so many benefits hidden in it? Discovering more information on Spirulina is inevitable since it is a hot research topic.
So how can you include Spirulina in your everyday diet?
Spirulina supplements come in various forms, there can be tablets, capsules, and powders.
You can simply sprinkle some S-powder in your breakfast bowls, salad servings, curry mixes, or even in your smoothies and juices. As simple as that.
In-all this superfood is a revolution in itself. Organically grown spirulina is incredibly healthy. Including it in our everyday lives is totally worth it even though research teaches us more about it over time.
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of other green superfoods, you can check out our posts about Moringa and Wheatgrass!
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