Spirulina is a super popular food right now because it's basically the sustainable kale of the future. What is spirulina, you ask? It may seem incredibly disgusting when you hear that you actually have to eat this type of blue-green algae (AKA pond scum) to reap its benefits, but before you get too turned off you should know spirulina does have quite a few benefits that make it well worth the try.
Heck, the bottle even says it's for "general wellness" and overall health, so I figured I may as well give it a whirl and decided to buy some of my own. Spirulina is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It contains nutrients including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid).
Benefits of Spirulina
Let's break the benefits down. Studies have shown that spirulina can help boost your immune system. Amino acids make up 62% of spirulina. It can also be used as a protein supplement since it has a high level of protein and other nutrients. Studies also suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by stopping the release of substances that contribute to allergy symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, preliminary evidence suggests that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and liver failure in people with chronic hepatitis.
Additional studies suggest that spirulina can improve HIV/AIDS, help prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, lower chances of stroke, boost energy, and speed up weight loss.
How to Work Spirulina Into Your Diet
The taste may be a little hard to stomach just on its own, but thank god for capsules. Keep in mind, it's best to buy from a trusted brand, like Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina because it can be contaminated with other substances that can be toxic. While this supplement is a bit pricy in my opinion, you may find its benefits worthwhile. As with any supplement, you should talk to a health care provider to help you determine the right dose for you. A standard dose is about 4-6 tablets (500 mg each) per day.
Powder form is the other way you can consume Spirulina. While this is less popular, it can still be easily incorporated into your diet, like through a super green spirulina smoothie. Just because the taste of spirulina on its own isn't amazing doesn't mean you can't enjoy some great recipes that'll help the pond scum go down a bit easier.
It should be noted that while test tube and animal studies suggest the above are all true, more research is needed to be certain that spirulina does actually benefit people.