3 Amazing Health Benefits of Spirulina

Over the past years, spirulina has gained popularity in the health food industry becoming one of the most à la mode superfoods. This blue-green microalga grows in both fresh and salted water and consists of about 15 species. 

For centuries, humans have used spirulina as an important source of protein. Did you know that spirulina has been consumed by the Aztecs before the sixteenth century? Some legends say that Aztec runners took it on their marathons. (1) 

In 1967, the International Association of Applied Microbiology labeled spirulina as a “wonderful future food source” due to its amazing nutritional profile. In addition to being 60-70% protein, spirulina has a high amount of essential nutrients including antioxidants, essential fatty acids, B complex vitamins, vitamin E, copper, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc, and has antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. (1) 

Here are 3 amazing health benefits of spirulina:

1.  Helps Your Body Eliminate Heavy Metals – Especially Arsenic

Globally, the burning of coal has been the major contributor to arnesic pollution. The United States is among the countries that have been most affected. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic through drinking water, food preparation, and irrigation of food crops has been associated with skin cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and can have negative impacts on cognitive development in early childhood exposure. (2,3) 

Spirulina has a unique quality to neutralize toxic minerals, especially arsenic. A study conducted in Bangladesh showed that supplementing 250 mg of spirulina extract (250 mg) and zinc (2 mg) may reduce arsenic levels up to 47% and can be considered as an effective treatment of chronic arsenic poisoning. (4)

2.  Lowers Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

There are many factors that increase the risk of heart disease and heart attacks, and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, is one of the main ones. Spirulina positively impacts some of these factors, like preventing oxidation. A recent study in people showed that taking 1 gram of spirulina daily significantly reduces LDL cholesterol (10.1%), triglycerides (16.3%), and maintains HDL “good” cholesterol levels. 

Additionally, phycocyanin is a heart-friendly pigment found in spirulina that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and helps lower blood pressure. (5)

3.  Might Have Anti-cancer Properties

Many peer-reviewed articles have been written about the effectiveness of spirulina as an alternative treatment for cancer. 

Besides having positive effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Czech Republic scientists claimed that spirulina is rich in tetrapyrrolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Research made in animals shows that spirulina protects tissue from cell damage and can reduce tumor sizes, cancer incidence, and radiation poisoning. Similarly, a human study made in India, found that 1 gram of spirulina per day can reduce precancerous oral tissue damage up to 45% and can improve symptoms. (6,7,8) 

Do you want to obtain these health benefits, but don’t know how to incorporate spirulina into your diet? Try this amazing green smoothie which makes the first step easier.

Powerful Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water

• ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk

• 1 cup of fresh baby spinach

• ½ frozen banana

• 1 cup of frozen berries (your favorite or mixed)

• 1 pitted date

• 2 teaspoons of spirulina powder

Instructions:

1. Blend all the ingredients until smooth.