What’s blue-green, referred to as pond scum and a growing health food trend?
The answer? Spirulina!
If you go to any health food store or local smoothie shop, you’ve probably seen it on the menu.
But what exactly is spirulina? And what can it do for your health?
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is usually described as blue-green algae, but it’s technically a cyanobacterium. Cyanobacteria get their name from the bluish pigment phycocyanin, which they use to capture light for photosynthesis. Because of this, spirulina also contains chlorophyll.
Spirulina grows in both fresh and saltwater and can be consumed by both humans and animals. This green superfood is available as a powder (you can find it in both our Super Green mix and Skinny Protein mix), as flakes, or as tablets.
Although spirulina is gaining popularity in the health food world, the algae originated 3.5 billion years ago — it’s one of the oldest known fossils! Spirulina was also a primary source of protein for the Aztecs. They would harvest the spirulina from Lake Texcoco and sold the “Tecuitlatl” in cake form. Although there’s no concrete evidence, legend has it Aztec messenger runners took spirulina on their marathons.
Spirulina: "Pond scum" that packs a nutritional punch
Call it what you want, but spirulina is more than worthy of its superfood title. While this blue-green algae may look like slimy pond scum, it’s actually one of the most nutritious and nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
To start, spirulina is 60% protein (more than two times the protein found in red meat). It contains 18 amino acids, including all essential amino acids and 10 of the 12 non-essential amino acids.
Spirulina is also a great source of phytonutrients, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, B vitamins, iodine, and Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Another reason why spirulina has earned its superfood title: it’s a sustainable food source. In addition to requiring 10 times less water than other vegetables, spirulina can be harvested year-round and is able to withstand extreme temperatures.
Spirulina also has the potential to end world hunger. According to economist Urs Heierli, Ph.D., just 1 gram of spirulina per day can correct malnutrition in a small child within a few weeks. This idea is also supported by the United Nation.
9 Health Benefits of Spirulina
1. Spirulina detoxes heavy metals
Spirulina is a powerful detoxifier that helps remove toxins, such as heavy metals, from the body. (This is one of the reasons why we include Super Green and Skinny Protein in our detox bundle!)
What are heavy metals? Heavy metals are a group of 23 elements that can be dangerous, even in low concentrations. This group includes lead, arsenic and mercury, just to name a few. Too much heavy metal in the body can be toxic and cause poisoning.
According to a 2016 review, spirulina’s anti-toxic properties are “due to its high antioxidants content, mainly phycocyanin...”
Spirulina also contains chlorophyll, which helps cleanse the body of toxins.
2. Spirulina cam boost your immune system
People search for natural ways to protect their immune systems from the common cold and flu every fall and winter. One way to boost your immune system naturally is to eat more fruits and vegetables. But adding spirulina can also help.
According to a 2000 UC Davis study, “adding spirulina to cultured immune system cells significantly increases the production of infection-fighting cytokines.”
A more recent study published in “Cellular and Molecular Immunology” found that spirulina supplementation increased the hemoglobin content of red blood cells and improved immune function in older adults.
3. Spirulina may have anti-cancer properties
Over 70 peer-reviewed studies show that spirulina is a powerful cancer fighter — especially against oral cancer. Two different studies found just 1 gram of spirulina per day reduced precancerous lesions by 45% and improved symptoms. Other studies show spirulina can reduce the growth of tumors.
4. Spirulina is anti-inflammatory
Like most superfoods, spirulina is high in antioxidants, especially phycocyanin. Not only does phycocyanin give the blue-green algae its blue color, it’s also a powerful anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown this antioxidant scavenges and fight the free radicals that cause oxidative damage.
5. Spirulina reduces bad cholesterol
If you’re looking for a natural way to reduce your LDL cholesterol (aka the “bad” cholesterol), you may want to consider spirulina.
In a 2014 study published in the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture,” researchers gave 52 participants 1 gram of spirulina every day for 12 weeks. When they retested their lipid panel, the results showed triglycerides were lowered by, on average, by 16.3% and LDL by 10.1%.
A 2016 meta-analysis found similar results: adding spirulina to your diet can significantly reduce total cholesterol and lower your LDL while increasing your HDL.
6. Spirulina lowers blood pressure
Many people suffer from high blood pressure, which is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it doesn’t produce any symptoms.
High blood pressure can wreak havoc on your body, causing everything from heart disease to stroke to kidney failure. Luckily, spirulina can help combat high blood pressure.
One study showed that eating a small amount of spirulina every day (2 grams), improves blood pressure as well as endothelial function in overweight patients.
7. Spirulina can improve sinus issues
Sinuses or allergies got you down? You may want to reach for spirulina instead of an over-the-counter drug!
Research shows that spirulina reduces inflammation in the nasal passageways (also known as allergic rhinitis).
One study, in particular, found that 2 grams of spirulina a day significantly reduced symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, and itching.
8. Spirulina boosts your energy
The Aztec messenger runners may have been on to something when they took spirulina on their marathons.
Although the evidence is limited, one study suggests spirulina may enhance endurance performance. Another study found that spirulina supplementation “induced a significant increase in exercise performance.”
9. Spirulina fights Candida
Another benefit of spirulina is its antifungal properties.
Spirulina can help prevent candida buildup, which leads to yeast infections. The cyanobacteria promote the growth of healthy bacterial flora in the intestines, which stops Candida from growing.
How to use spirulina
Spirulina powder can be easily added to green smoothies, smoothie bowls, or mixed into water with lemon or lime juice. You can also use it for natural food coloring (and makes for a great Instagram picture).
Spirulina has unique, and sometimes an intense, taste — think earthy with a touch of seaweed (it is an algae, after all!).
If you’ve never tried spirulina before, you may find it tastes a little too green. You can easily balance this out by adding sweet fruit, such as bananas, pineapple, and mango to your smoothies. You can also try adding orange, lemon, lime, or pineapple juice.
While you can buy spirulina powder at your local health food store, we find spirulina tastes better when combined with other superfoods. You can enjoy the benefits of spirulina with both our Skinny Protein and Super Green mixes.
Your Super's spirulina is sourced from a state-of-the-art algae farm in Germany. This family-owned business has been growing algae for 25 years and they helped develop the organic standards.
Growing the algae indoors creates a controlled environment, which prevents bacteria or pesticides from contaminating the spirulina or chlorella. The end result is one of the cleanest and best-tasting products!
Ni nini bluu-kijani, inayojulikana kama chumvi ya dimbwi na mwenendo wa chakula cha afya unaoongezeka? Jibu ni nini? Spirulina! Spirulina! Kama wewe kwenda duka lolote la chakula afya au duka la smoothie ya ndani, pengine umeona juu ya orodha. Lakini spirulina ni nini hasa? Na inaweza kufanya nini kwa afya yako? Spirulina ni nini? Spirulina kwa kawaida hufafanuliwa kama mwani wa bluu-kijani, lakini kiufundi ni cyanobacterium. Cyanobacteria hupata jina lao kutokana na rangi ya bluu ya phycocyanin, ambayo hutumia kukamata nuru kwa ajili ya photosynthesis. Kwa sababu hiyo, spirulina pia ina klorofili. Spirulina hukua katika maji matamu na ya chumvi na inaweza kuliwa na wanadamu na wanyama. Chakula hiki cha kijani kinapatikana kama poda (unaweza kuipata katika mchanganyiko wetu wa Super Green na mchanganyiko wa Skinny Protein), kama vipande, au kama vidonge. Ingawa spirulina inapata umaarufu katika ulimwengu wa chakula cha afya, mwani huo ulitokana na miaka bilioni 3.5 iliyopita - ni moja ya visukuku vya kale zaidi vinavyojulikana! Spirulina pia ilikuwa chanzo kikuu cha protini kwa Waazteki. Wangechuma spirulina kutoka Ziwa Texcoco na kuuza <unk>Tecuitlatl<unk> katika fomu ya keki. Ingawa hakuna uthibitisho wa hakika, hadithi inasema kwamba wakimbiaji wa ujumbe wa Aztec walichukua spirulina kwenye mbio zao za marathon. Spirulina: "Pond scum" ambayo packages punch lishe Wito ni nini unataka, lakini spirulina ni zaidi ya anastahili yake superfood cheo. Ingawa mwani huu wa rangi ya bluu-kijani unaweza kuonekana kama uchafu wa dimbwi la chumvi, kwa kweli ni moja ya vyakula vyenye lishe na vyenye virutubisho vingi zaidi duniani. Spirulina ina protini 60% (zaidi ya mara mbili ya protini inayopatikana katika nyama nyekundu). Ina amino asidi 18 ambazo ni pamoja na asidi zote muhimu za amino na 10 kati ya asidi 12 zisizo muhimu. Spirulina pia ni chanzo kikubwa cha phytonutrients, shaba, chuma, manganese, potasiamu, vitamini B, iodini, na asidi ya Gamma-linolenic (GLA). Sababu nyingine kwa nini spirulina imepata jina lake la chakula bora: ni chanzo cha chakula endelevu. Spirulina inahitaji maji kidogo mara kumi kuliko mboga nyingine, inaweza kuvunwa mwaka mzima na inaweza kuvumilia joto kali. Spirulina pia ina uwezo wa kukomesha njaa ulimwenguni. Kulingana na mwanahistoria Urs Heijli, gramu moja tu ya spirulina kwa siku inaweza kurekebisha utapiamlo katika mtoto mdogo ndani ya wiki chache. Wazo hilo linaungwa mkono pia na Umoja wa Mataifa. 9 Faida za Afya za Spirulina Spirulina ni dawa ya kuondoa sumu kutoka kwa mwili, ambayo husaidia kuondoa sumu kutoka kwa mwili. (Hii ni moja ya sababu kwa nini sisi ni pamoja na Super Green na Skinny Protein katika mfuko wetu detox!) Ni nini metali nzito? Chuma kizito ni kikundi cha madini 23 ambayo yanaweza kuwa hatari hata katika viwango vya chini. Kikundi hiki kinatia ndani risasi, arseniki na zebaki, ili tu kutaja chache. Metali nzito nyingi mno mwilini yaweza kuwa na sumu na kusababisha sumu. Kulingana na utafiti wa mwaka 2016, spirulina ina uwezo wa kuzuia sumu kutokana na kiasi chake cha antioxidants, hasa phycocyanin, na pia ina klorofili, ambayo husaidia kuondoa sumu. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Spirulina inaweza kuongeza mfumo wako wa kinga, na kwa hivyo, watu wengi wanatafuta njia za asili za kulinda mfumo wao wa kinga dhidi ya homa ya kawaida na homa kila vuli na majira ya baridi kali. Njia moja ya kuongeza nguvu ya kinga ya mwili ni kula matunda na mboga nyingi. Lakini kuongeza spirulina kunaweza pia kusaidia. Kulingana na utafiti wa UC Davis wa 2000, kuongeza spirulina kwa seli za mfumo wa kinga ya kilimo huongeza kwa kiasi kikubwa uzalishaji wa cytokines za kupambana na maambukizo.Utafiti wa hivi karibuni uliochapishwa katika Cellular na Molecular Immunology uligundua kwamba kuongeza spirulina iliongeza yaliyomo ya hemoglobini ya seli nyekundu za damu na kuboresha kazi ya kinga kwa watu wazima wazee. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Spirulina inaweza kuwa na mali ya kupambana na kansa - Zaidi ya masomo 70 ya ukaguzi wa wenzao yanaonyesha kwamba spirulina ni mpiganaji wa nguvu wa saratani - hasa dhidi ya saratani ya mdomo. Utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti wa utafiti. Uchunguzi mwingine unaonyesha kwamba spirulina inaweza kupunguza ukuzi wa uvimbe. 4. Uwe na uhakika Spirulina ni anti-inflammatory na ina antioxidant, hasa phycocyanin. Phycocyanin haitoi tu mwani wa bluu-kijani rangi yake ya bluu, pia ni dawa yenye nguvu ya kuzuia uvimbe. Uchunguzi umeonyesha antioxidant hii scavenges na kupambana na free radicals kwamba kusababisha uharibifu oxidative. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Spirulina hupunguza cholesterol mbaya Ikiwa unatafuta njia ya asili ya kupunguza cholesterol yako ya LDL (aka cholesterol "mbaya"), unaweza kutaka kuzingatia spirulina. Katika utafiti uliochapishwa katika jarida la Journal of Food and Agriculture, watafiti waliwapa washiriki 52 gramu moja ya spirulina kila siku kwa wiki 12. Katika uchunguzi wa lipid, triglycerides zilipungua kwa wastani wa 16.3% na LDL kwa 10.1%. Uchunguzi wa 2016 uligundua matokeo kama hayo: kuongeza spirulina kwenye chakula chako kunaweza kupunguza cholesterol ya jumla na kupunguza LDL yako wakati wa kuongeza HDL yako. 6. Uwe na uhakika Spirulina hupunguza shinikizo la damu Watu wengi hupatwa na shinikizo la damu la juu, ambalo mara nyingi huitwa "muuaji kimya" kwa sababu halitokezi dalili zozote. Shinikizo la juu la damu linaweza kuharibu mwili wako, na kusababisha kila kitu kuanzia ugonjwa wa moyo hadi kiharusi na kushindwa kwa figo. Kwa bahati nzuri, spirulina inaweza kusaidia kupambana na shinikizo la damu la juu. Utafiti mmoja unaonyesha kwamba kula kiasi kidogo cha spirulina kila siku (gramu mbili) hupunguza shinikizo la damu na utendaji wa endothelial kwa wagonjwa wenye uzito kupita kiasi. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Spirulina inaweza kuboresha matatizo ya sinus Sinuses au mzio got wewe chini? Huenda ukataka kutumia spirulina badala ya dawa inayopatikana bila dawa! Utafiti unaonyesha kwamba spirulina hupunguza uvimbe katika njia za pua (unaojulikana pia kama rhinitis ya mzio). Utafiti mmoja uligundua kwamba kutumia spirulina kwa gramu mbili kwa siku kwa kiasi kikubwa hupunguza dalili kama vile kupiga chafya, kutokwa na maji kutoka pua, msukosuko, na kukwaruza. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Spirulina - Msaada wa afya ya mwili wa Aztec, ambaye alikuwa na uwezo wa kuendesha mbio za marathon. Ingawa uthibitisho ni mdogo, utafiti mmoja unaonyesha kwamba spirulina yaweza kuboresha utendaji wa uvumilivu. Utafiti mwingine uligundua kwamba kuongeza spirulina <unk> ilisababisha ongezeko kubwa la utendaji wa mazoezi.<unk> 9. Spirulina hupambana na Candida Faida nyingine ya spirulina ni uwezo wake wa kuzuia kuvu. Spirulina inaweza kusaidia kuzuia candida, ambayo husababisha maambukizo ya kuvu. Cyanobacteria huendeleza ukuaji wa bakteria zenye afya katika matumbo, ambayo huzuia Candida kukua. Spirulina inaweza pia kuingizwa katika smoothies ya kijani, sufuria ya smoothies, au kuchanganywa na maji na maji ya limao. Unaweza pia kuitumia kwa rangi ya chakula ya asili (na hufanya kwa picha kubwa ya Instagram). Spirulina ina ladha ya kipekee, na wakati mwingine kali, <unk> fikiria udongo na kugusa mwani wa baharini (ni mwani, baada ya yote!). Ikiwa hujawahi kujaribu spirulina hapo awali, huenda ukaona kwamba ladha yake ni ya kijani kibichi sana. Unaweza kusawazisha jambo hilo kwa urahisi kwa kuongeza matunda matamu, kama vile ndizi, mananasi, na mango katika smoothies zako. Unaweza pia kujaribu kuongeza maji ya machungwa, limao, limao, au mananasi. Ingawa unaweza kununua spirulina poda katika duka lako la chakula cha afya, tunapata spirulina ladha bora wakati pamoja na superfoods nyingine. Unaweza kufurahia faida za spirulina na mchanganyiko wetu wa Skinny Protein na Super Green. Spirulina ya Super yako hutoka kwenye shamba la algae la kisasa nchini Ujerumani. Kampuni hii ya familia imekuwa ikikua mwani kwa miaka 25 na imesaidia kuendeleza viwango vya kikaboni. Kwa hivyo, kwa kuwa algae hupandwa ndani ya nyumba, mazingira ya kudhibitiwa yanaundwa, ambayo huzuia bakteria au dawa za kuua wadudu kuchafua spirulina au chlorella. Matokeo ya mwisho ni mojawapo ya bidhaa safi zaidi na zenye ladha nzuri zaidi!