With the surge of the eating clean trend in the last years, it’s no big surprise that you’re becoming aware of new foods as part of this movement.
It’s all about getting rid of processed foods and welcoming natural foods with a great deal of health benefits.
One such food that has come to the forefront is spirulina. The benefits of spirulina are countless!
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae loaded with nutrients that can have amazing effects on your body and brain.
It is incredibly high in protein and a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.
As one of the oldest life forms on Earth, it is believed spirulina was used as a food source by some of the longest-lived civilisations like the Aztecs in the 16th-century.
It is one of the most powerful nutrient sources available and even the United Nations have recommended Spirulina to fight malnutrition.
It also has some really wonderful natural healing powers for a number of medical conditions.
Here are 5 evidence-based health benefits of spirulina:
- Helps with weight loss
These days, it's not simple to follow a healthy eating regimen. We tend to stick to the convenience of processed foods which makes the final nutritional consumed value often imbalanced, and as a result our body keeps craving for more. This is what happens for instance when you eat that cheeseburger with chips. Besides a few minutes of pleasure, you get nothing but some dangerous fat and loads of calories.
However, if you opt for nutrient dense foods like spirulina, you’re giving your body essential vitamins, protein and fiber which is capable of satisfying hunger and keeping your appetite in check. It makes you feel good and helps with stopping those cravings for low quality food. As soon as it starts reducing your appetite, it will be easier to manage your weight.
Spirulina’s easily digestible protein in conjunction with a sound exercise plan will contribute to build muscle mass, which will help your body to start burning more body fat naturally throughout the day.
Spirulina is typically consumed in the tablet, or powdered form and may be used as part of a weight loss program. Learn more by downloading our free ebook “Spirulina for weight loss – a guide for busy people”
- Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for killer diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. One of the main benefits of spirulina is that it may lower blood pressure.
According to a Mexican study on Spirulina, while 1 gram of spirulina is ineffective, a dose of 4.5 grams per day has been shown to reduce blood pressure in individuals with normal blood pressure levels. Both men and women who were taking 4.5g of spirulina daily have reduced the rates of high blood pressure in just six weeks without any dietary changes.
This is thought to be driven by Phycocyanin - a pigment found in the spirulina that scientists have discovered possesses antihypertensive effects (it helps the blood vessels relax and dilate and lowers blood pressure)
- Manages sugar levels
Spirulina may be especially helpful in balancing blood sugar, and may even be as effective as diabetes medication in some instances. It may not only lower blood sugar but also HbA1c, which is a long term marker of blood sugar levels.
Some studies have shown that spirulina can significantly lower blood sugar levels and in some cases, it has outperformed popular diabetes drugs, including Metformin.
There are also some studies with evidence that spirulina can be effective in the control of glycemia in type 2 diabetes. In a study of 25 patients with this type of diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina led to a reduction in their blood sugar levels.
- Helps with alergies
Millions of people suffer from allergies to dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and many more. When someone with a sensitized immune system is exposed to a specific allergen, it will trigger the production of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to mast cells which then release histamine. This chemical will cause the usual symptoms like stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat which are associated with allergies.
Studies suggest that spirulina stops the release of histamine, which is responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Consumption of spirulina may improve symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and nasal discharge.
As expressed by these researchers, spirulina may be an effective option for allergic rhinitis and is worth a try if you are suffering from its symptoms.
- Reduces Cholesterol
Spirulina benefits have also been shown to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. It can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising HDL (the “good”) cholesterol.
Several studies have shown positive effects in people with high cholesterol. It was found that 1 gram of spirulina per day has lowered triglycerides by 16.3% and LDL by 10.1%
This shows that consuming spirulina might be a great way to promote healthy circulation, modulate cholesterol and lipid profiles in the blood and even prevent the formation of heart disease. Everything without producing any harmful side effects.
For these and many other reasons and benefits, spirulina is widely seen as one of the most beneficial "superfoods" on Earth.
When choosing Spirulina, make sure to choose one that is organic, as others can be contaminated or have nitrate compounds as additives.
