Many people swear by adding super foods to their diet, whether for solving specific health or mental problems, or for their overall sense of well-being. One of the go-to superfoods for many years has been spirulina.
If you have not tried it yet, let the following reasons convince you to start using spirulina to your advantage right away!
Spirulina contains a wide variety of nutrients, with protein making up 70 percent. Vegetarians consider this super food to be an excellent source of protein.
One spoon of spirulina already contains 1.2 grams of protein. In addition, this ingredient contains a large amount of iron – about 28 grams for every 100 grams of its powder form.
It’s no wonder many people consider the green algae as their go-to superfood. Here are other ways in which spirulina can boost your overall health:
1. Spirulina Contains Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Free radicals can damage your cells and DNA, causing your body to welcome cancer and other diseases. Spirulina is an excellent source of antioxidants that help protect your body against oxidative damage.
Phycocyanin is its main active component, which works as an antioxidant substance with anti-inflammatory properties. It is also the main reason why spirulina has a blue-green color.
2. Spirulina Helps Lower Triglyceride and LDL Cholesterol Levels
Heart disease is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Scientists have found that spirulina can boost your HDL or good cholesterol, while lowering your LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
If you are having trouble with your total cholesterol and triglycerides, you might want to start a healthy lifestyle and incorporate spirulina into your daily food intake.
3. Spirulina Helps Fight Cancer
Researchers have found evidence that spirulina may contain anti-cancer properties.
In a study done on 87 human subjects with precancerous mouth lesions in India, scientists witnessed complete regression in 45 percent of participants after they took 1 gram of spirulina per day for over a year.
Nearly half of these people saw the development of lesions again, a year after they stopped consuming spirulina.
4. Spirulina Protects Your Body from Lipid Peroxidation
Lipid peroxidation has been known as a key driver of various, serious diseases, such as heart disease.
This condition arises when the fatty structures in your body suffer from oxidative damage. The high level of antioxidants present in spirulina was found to be effective in reducing lipid peroxidation.
5. Spirulina Helps Address Arsenic Toxicity
Chronic arsenic toxicity has been affecting people across the globe for many years, especially in the Far East.
This type of metal is usually consumed through contaminated drinking water. Bangladeshi scientists suggested that there is no specific treatment for arsenic poisoning.
However, they found that giving spirulina extract with zinc can decrease the level of arsenic in the body by nearly 50 percent.
6. Spirulina May Help Fight Anemia
Anemia is described as the reduction of red blood cells in the blood. This condition, which is fairly common in the elderly, gives feelings of fatigue and weakness.
In one study, however, spirulina was able to boost the subjects’ red blood cells and immune system. Experts say more research must be done before any recommendations can be given.
7. Spirulina Combats Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
A person with allergic rhinitis suffers from inflammation in the nasal airways. This is usually triggered by allergens, such as animal hair, pollen, or wheat dust.
People who are searching for alternative treatments for allergic rhinitis should consider spirulina. Studies show that taking two grams per day can reduce the symptoms, including sneezing and nasal congestion.
8. Spirulina Improves Muscle Strength and Endurance
Muscle fatigue is often caused by exercise-induced damage. There are certain antioxidant-rich plant foods that could help lessen this damage.
Spirulina is one perfect example, with some studies showing improved muscular strength after consuming this natural substance. One study, however, suggested that spirulina supplementation did not have any effect on a person’s muscle endurance.
9. Spirulina Contains Various Important Nutrients
Spirulina grows in both salt and fresh water. NASA discovered that they can grow it in space and use it for astronauts to consume.
It was said that taking 1-3 grams of spirulina per day is ideal, but there is also no problem in consuming up to 10 grams daily.
10. Spirulina May Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Studies have found that spirulina can reduce blood sugar levels. It was also discovered that this natural substance can outperform popular medications for diabetes, such as Metformin.
Lowering the body’s blood sugar levels can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes-related death.
2 Yummy Spirulina Recipes You’ll Want to Try
Aside from taking it as a supplement or in its powder form, you can also incorporate spirulina in healthy dishes. You can even lose weight with spirulina!
Here are two examples of recipes that you might want to try:
Spirulina Salad Dressing
Mix a tablespoon of spirulina powder with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and garlic powder.
Make sure to mix them well before pouring the mixture over your favorite salad.
You can opt to get rid of the lemon juice and zest as some people like the dressing without these two ingredients.
Spirulina Smoothie
You can also consume spirulina as a smoothie.
One glass of spirulina smoothie requires one ripe banana, a cup of frozen blueberries, a cup of kale, a cup of spinach, ¾ cup of coconut water/almond milk/water, a tablespoon of chia seeds, a teaspoon of spirulina, and a teaspoon of hemp protein powder.
Blend all of these ingredients until smooth.
Superfy Your Health with Spirulina
Spirulina has plenty of health benefits, so go ahead and incorporate it into your daily regimen.
A tablespoon of this natural substance can already do wonders for your body. You can consume it either in its supplement or powder forms.
You can also have fun trying out different spirulina recipes for added variety. However you wish to consume it, taking spirulina every day will definitely lead to a healthier and improved you!
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