7 Health Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is a naturally occuring algae, which has inhabited the earth for around 3.5 billion years. It has a green-blueish colour, and can be bought as supplement in either power or tablet form to provide outstanding health benefits!
From its staggeringly high protein content to the wealth of micronutrients it contains, spirulina is one of the best superfoods out there.

7 Health Benefits of Spirulina
1. Protein Powerhouse: A single one-ounce serving of spirulina (about 2 tablespoons) packs 16 grams of protein. That’s a huge protein punch! Spirulina also contains all nine essential amino acids needed to build protein, which repair muscle tissue, improve metabolism and prevent hunger.

2. Antioxidant Treasure Trove: Spirulina has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of over 24,000, which is four times the ORAC score of blueberries! The ORAC score measures the antioxidant concentration in foods.

3. Nutrients Galore: Spirulina powder also contains a wide range of minerals, from iron and calcium to potassium and zinc. Amino acids play a key role in our body's ability to efficiently use these minerals - and spirulina contains all nine essential amino acids!

4. Super Source of Iron: Spirulina gives spinach a run for its money because a one-ounce serving of spirulina provides 44 percent of the daily recommended value (DRV) for iron. Responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood cells throughout the body, iron from spirulina boosts energy and fights fatigue.

5. May Lower Cholesterol: A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture examined the effects of spirulina supplementation on patients with elevated cholesterol. The study found that a dose of one gram of spirulina per day was effective at lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

6. May Help Lower Blood Sugar: The Journal of Medicinal Food published a study in 2001, which aimed to evaluate the impact of spirulina on patients with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that dietary supplementation of two grams of spirulina per day helped control blood glucose levels and improve the lipid profiles of the patients.

7. Easy-to-Digest: Since its cell walls have no cellulose, spirulina’s protein is 85-95 percent digestible. This percentage is higher than that of any other common plant! It’s also more digestible than other rich protein sources such as red meat and even soy. Easy-to-digest proteins like spirulina are better assimilated by the body.

 

Buy the way, always talk to your doctor before taking spirulina, as it has been shown to interact with certain medications and medical conditions. For example, because it may boost the strength of your immune system, it may not be a good choice for people with autoimmune disease.