Food supplements
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium, a single-celled blue-green organism that produces energy through photosynthesis. This micro-algae has been the center of attention for years, for its nutritional value and benefits to health and body composition. Indeed, spirulina is considered, gram by gram, as the most nutritious food on the planet! It contains more than 60% protein, and is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It exists today in different forms, from powder to capsules, but many still wonder what it can bring concretely. We are therefore going to answer the question that you are certainly asking yourself: what is spirulina used for?
Contents
The health benefits of spirulina
With an exceptionally high content of vitamins and minerals, spirulina has many health benefits and its applications for diabetes management, cholesterol management and detoxification are common.
Spirulina reduces diabetes and cholesterol
Also, research has shown a reduction in LDL cholesterol following the intake of spirulina, caused by a marked reduction in lipid peroxidation. The richness of spirulina in antioxidants explains this reversible process of the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries.
Spirulina is a powerful detoxifier
This superfood is commonly used for heavy metal detoxification, with which it acts as a chelator. This concerns in particular arsenic, mercury or iron.
Spirulina and athletic performance
Better recovery
Its richness in micronutrients naturally prompted researchers to look into the effects of spirulina on athletes.
Better energy metabolism
Spirulina is contains 60% of proteins very rich in essential amino acids, which promotes muscle building and recovery. But it is also extremely rich in group B vitamins, essential for metabolism proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. A teaspoon of spirulina provides no less than 30% of the daily intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12.
Spirulina helps to lose weight
It is rich in protein
With over 60% protein naturally rich in essential amino acids, spirulina is one of the most protein-rich foods. Thus, it often supplements high-protein diets and is particularly interesting for vegans who consume absolutely no food of animal origin. Spirulina becomes an almost unavoidable option for those people who may suffer from deficiencies in essential amino acids EAA, especially present in proteins of animal origin.
It reduces appetite
Its high fiber content and protein makes spirulina very effective in reducing appetite. Fiber slows down digestion, absorb some of the dietary fats and reduce the absorption of sugars. Adding one to two tablespoons of spirulina to each of your meals can help you feel fuller and not succumb to the temptation to snack between meals.
How to use spirulina?
This miraculous algae is available in the form of tablets or powder.
The most effective way to use spirulina is to consume it with each of your meals, in order to increase their levels of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium or potassium.
So…powder or tablets? We want to answer you…both! indeed, powdered spirulina has a rather unpleasant taste and it is difficult to consume it pure with water.
Thereby, we advise you to use your spirulina as follows:
- At lunch and dinner, take 4 spirulina tablets at the end of the meal with a glass of water.
- After training and during your protein snacks, add a teaspoon of spirulina to your whey or casein shake.
Also to read
What is spirulina?
Foods Highest in Plant Protein
How to increase your metabolism?
EAAs: what are they?
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891584910005381
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19299804
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24691130
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12639401
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19625960
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010119
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16944194
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010119
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170495/nutrients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8201963
