Spirulina Benefits Us – And the Planet!
Have you heard of spirulina?
Have you heard that it’s a superfood, but you’re not too sure what the fuss is about?
You can find out what you need to know here in this article:
- What spirulina is
- The huge spirulina benefits that come in a small package
- How you can get hold of spirulina
- Yummy ways to eat spirulina
- An important spirulina tip
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is often deemed the most nutritionally complete of all food supplements, containing a rich supply of many important nutrients, including:
- protein
- complex carbohydrates
- iron
- vitamins A, K, and B complex
- carotenoids (antioxidant properties)
- chlorophyll
- fatty and nucleic acids
- lipids
So, spirulina benefits you by being great for maintaining good health and for preventing diseases!
Spirulina is a type of plant, an algae, and is sometimes likened to seaweed. Because it’s plant based, it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Because it’s easy to grow without pesticides and other additives, spirulina benefits the planet too (more on that later).
Let’s look at why spirulina is considered a superfood (more below the infographic).
Spirulina Benefits – Beta Carotene
Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food (ten times more concentrated than carrots!). Beta carotene works at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. Don’t believe me? 20 years of research proves that eating beta carotene-rich fruits and vegetables gives us real anti-cancer protection.
(You can get synthetic beta carotene, but it isn’t assimilated as well, nor does it contain all the “magic” ingredients of natural beta carotene from algae. Plus, to live green we want to avoid synthetics).
Anti-Aging Spirulina Benefits
Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food.
Its nutrient value is highly concentrated and also easily digested.
Spirulina is loaded with antioxidants.
Spirulina Benefits – Minerals
Iron is essential to build a strong system, and yet iron is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals.
And spirulina is easier to absorb than iron supplements.
2 teaspoons / 10 grams of spirulina can supply up to 70% of the minimum daily requirements for iron.
Spirulina contains other nutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, selenium, and chromium. These nutrients help fight free radicals, which are cell-damaging molecules absorbed by the body through pollution, poor diet, injury, or stress.
By removing free radicals, the nutrients help the immune system to fight cellular degeneration.
Spirulina Benefits Don’t Include B12
Spirulina is the highest source of Vitamin B12, essential for healthy nerves and tissue, especially for vegetarians.
Having said that, it seems that we can’t absorb the Vitamin B12 in spirulina as easily as from other sources. So at this time, it’s not a real benefit to us.
The other vitamins contained in spirulina, however, are absorbed normally.
Spirulina Benefits – Vitamins
2 teaspoons / 10 grams of spirulina can supply about three to four times the minimum daily requirements for vitamins A (in the form of beta carotene), B complex, D, and K.
Spirulina does not contain vitamin C, but it helps maintain this vitamin’s potency.
Spirulina Benefits – Protein
About 60% of dry weight spirulina is protein, which is essential for growth and cell regeneration.
It is a good replacement for fatty and cholesterol-rich meat and dairy products.
And spirulina is significantly more green and eco friendly than meat!
Many vegetarians and vegans are careful to make sure they get enough protein in their diets, and spirulina is a wonderful source of protein.
It contains:
- 20x the protein content of soybeans
- 200x the protein content of beef!
Spirulina also increases stamina and immunity levels in athletes, and its high protein content helps build muscle mass and curb hunger.
Spirulina Benefits Your Digestion
Another health benefit of spirulina is that it stimulates beneficial flora in your digestive tract to promote healthy digestion and proper bowel function.
Healthy flora is the foundation of good health. Spirulina increases absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat, and helps protect against infection. It also builds healthy lactobacillus, aiding assimilation and elimination.
Spirulina is rich in gamma-linolenic acid or GLA, a compound found in breast milk that helps develop healthier babies.
Spirulina Benefits Malnutrition
Spirulina has huge potential in countries where malnutrition is a problem.
Its high digestibility has been proven to fight malnutrition in impoverished communities by helping the body absorb nutrients when it has lost its ability to absorb normal forms of food.
Spirulina Benefits Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure
Spirulina has the ability to reduce bad cholesterol which can help prevent cardiovascular diseases such as hardening of the arteries and strokes.
It also helps lower blood pressure.
Spirulina Detox Benefits
Spirulina acts as a natural cleanser by eliminating mercury and other deadly toxins commonly ingested by the body.
In 1994, a Russian Patent was awarded for spirulina as a medical food to reduce allergic reactions from radiation sickness.
270 Children of Chernobyl consuming 5 grams a day for 45 days (donated by Earthrise Farms), lowered radionuclides by 50%, and normalized allergic sensitivities.
Today, we are subject to an onslaught of toxic chemicals in our air, water, food and drugs. Our bodies need to continually eliminate these accumulated toxins.
Spirulina has a completely unique combination of phytonutrients – including chlorophyll, phycocyanin and polysaccharides, that can help cleanse our bodies.
Spirulina Is Green
Well, yes, spirulina is indeed a lovely shade of green, but it’s also green and eco friendly.
- Because it’s easy to grow in many climates, you can probably get spirulina grown fairly local to your area.
- Even if it isn’t local, it’s light. Especially once it’s dried, the product is very light and easy to transport, again reducing its carbon footprint.
- Spirulina doesn’t have the high carbon footprint associated with meat and dairy products.
- Its nutrients are highly concentrated so you only need a relatively small amount.
- It doesn’t need pesticides to grow – indeed it thrives best under pesticide-free conditions
- Spirulina can be made into bars and wafers that you can use for travelling – without needing refrigeration.
- And of course, spirulina is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Disadvantages of Spirulina
It’s difficult to use spirulina that has grown naturally, because if there are any toxic substances in the area, the spirulina may absorb them and they cannot be removed from the product.
So most spirulina intended for food use is grown in purpose-built ponds – not quite as green and eco friendly as natural growth, but it does ensure safety.
Always check with your supplier how your spirulina was grown – they should be quite open about their procedures, like this example of spirulina production.
How Can I Get Spirulina?
Spirulina is now easily available in tablet or powder form, and also as wafers and bars.
Some health tonics contain spirulina as part of their ingredients.
Alternatively, you can grow your own spirulina – instructions here.
What If I don’t Like the Taste of Spirulina?
No problem.
You can take it in capsule form, and then you won’t taste a thing.
However, it’s more economical (and more eco friendly) to buy it in powder form – you get more spirulina by weight than you do with capsules. Powder is also assimilated quicker by the body.
If you mix it in with other foods, you’ll disguise the taste. I’ve got several suggestions below.
How to Get Yummy Spirulina Benefits into Your Diet
Here are some easy suggestions (I like easy!).
- Mix 1 tsp of spirulina powder in with a glass of apple juice.
- Add powder on top of a freshly-cut papaya and sprinkle with a little bit of lemon juice.
- Add 1 tsp of spirulina to carrot or tomato juice for a healthy veggie cocktail
- Add 1 tsp spirulina powder to a glass of water, add the juice of half a lemon and some (optional) honey to sweeten if required for a very healthy early morning health boost to your day.
- Add 1 or 2 tsp of spirulina powder to your muesli or cereals to have a delicious breakfast packed with nutrients.
- Add 1 or 2 tsp of spirulina to your favourite guacamole recipe for a great health boost.
- Add 1 or 2 tsp of spirulina powder to a smoothie – you won’t taste it when there are lots of other ingredients!
- Spirulina is also contained in some salad sprinkles which will boost the health content of your salads
NOTE: Be aware that spirulina should be drunk within an hour of being mixed with liquid. Like fruits, it can ferment, although honey will delay the fermentation process.
You can even use spirulina to make an easy rejuvenating face pack! Mix a teaspoon of spirulina powder with water to make a paste. Apply it to your face. Wait till the mask dries on your face and you feel it pull. Then simply wash it away. Use it up to twice a week.
Recipe for Spirulina Bliss Balls
Another great way to get spirulina into your diet is to include it in snacks. This recipe takes a bit of time, but the result is a really delicious snack! It’s from Rocklyn Yoga Ashram in Australia.
- 1 1/2 cups / 180 g dates, chopped
- 1/2 cup / 60 g dried apricots, chopped
- 2/3 cup / 75 g sultanas
- 1 cup / 80 g dried coconut
- 1 cup / 120 g mixed nuts (well chopped) such as almonds, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, etc. – be creative
- 1 Tbsp tahini
- 1 Tbsp honey
- Sesame seeds (for rolling the balls in)
- spirulina – as much or as little as you want (start with 2 tablespoons or whatever amount you find tasty)
Method:
- Soak the apricots, dates and sultanas in hot water for half an hour to soften them. Then drain and squeeze the water out. (Save the water and use it to drink if you like – it’s delicious, especially if the fruit is organic.)
- Mix the nuts with the fruit, tahini, coconut, honey and spirulina. Add more honey if you prefer the balls sweeter. The texture should be sticky.
- Make balls out of the mixture and roll them in sesame seeds.
- Put into the fridge to harden little.
Best Spirulina Tip
Spirulina loses important properties when you cook it.
So always add it to food, drinks and smoothies uncooked.
Summary
In summary then:
- Spirulina is a power-packed superfood that’s easily available, green, healthy and good for us and the planet.
- It’s sunlight transformed into life!
Do you take spirulina already? Is this the first time you’ve heard of it? Will you start to try it now you’ve read this? Let me know in the Comments below.
Tell your friends and family about spirulina and its benefits – sharing buttons below and right – thank you!
