Spirulina is commonly known for being a very nutritious microalgae, being the main food of Olympic-sized athletes , including astronauts, it is a product that is available in powder form and its consumption is essential.
Spirulina has endless important properties for the body, so in the following article we will share 10 of the main benefits of spirulina that have been endorsed by medical science, as well as its form of presentation and the precautions involved in its consumption.
What is spirulina?
Spirulina or spirulina is born from the cyanobacteria from the “Arthrospira” , it has the shape of a blue-green algae, which can be easily cultivated in desert areas and where a lot of alkaline water abounds, taking into account that it is simple to produce, multiply and distribute.
In this sense, spirulina is a nutritious food with a high protein level and essential fatty acids for the body, considered in turn as a kind of dietary supplement, but not a superfood itself, since its consumption should be moderate. .
Note: A brief study states that: “Spirulina requires for its growth: alkaline water, nitrogen source (urea), iron, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, all other requirements (salts) are found in seawater . ” (1)
What benefits does spirulina have for health?
Spirulina has different benefits regarding the health of the organism , so that by having effects of various kinds on it, its consumption is recommended. Next, we share with you the 10 best benefits of spirulina on the body and health:
1. Strengthens the immune system
Spirulina can be a great food to fully strengthen the immune system . This food contains different antioxidant compounds , summarized in beta-carotene, polysaccharides, glycolipids and essential acids such as linoleic gamma, which stimulate the main production of the levels of leukocytes or white blood cells necessary for the system.
2. Promotes cardiovascular health
Spirulina turns out to be favorable for cardiovascular health . It is an antioxidant food, capable of controlling lipid levels in the blood, that is, reducing the development of LDL cholesterol or waxy substances such as triglycerides, even improving the development of platelets for coagulation.
3. Controls blood sugar levels
Spirulina may also be helpful in controlling blood glucose . It is an ideal food for diabetics, on the one hand because it lowers cholesterol or lipids that are involved in glucose.
On the other hand, it provides polysaccharide carbohydrates necessary for type 2 diabetes and as a replacement for insulin, so it can be said that it has hypoglycemic effects.
4. Reduces the action of free radicals
Spirulina becomes so important that it is capable of reducing the effects of free radicals.
With this, cellular oxidative damage to DNA is prevented, apart from preventing chronic diseases, this is possible since food is an essential antioxidant that works with the inhibitory enzymes of the organism , in order to reduce oxidative stress.
To highlight: A study adds that: “Phycocyanin is a powerful radical scavenger that inhibits lipid peroxidation, present in abundance in the structure of Spirulina . ” (two)
5. Improves brain health
Spirulina can dramatically improve brain health in the nervous system, for multiple reasons.
It mainly stimulates the production of hormones such as serotonin and melatonin , apart from being protective of the neural networks of the brain, not to mention that it also improves the flow of blood, essential proteins and oxygen to the brain tissue, which keeps this organ in full and good condition. functioning.
6. Promotes liver, kidney and visual health
Spirulina is wonderful for liver health, since the melatonin compound provides proteins and enzymes for the liver system , in addition to stimulating regeneration and elimination of toxins in the same organ.
On the other hand, it is also effective for the kidneys by eliminating heavy toxic agents such as mercury and lead, apart from stimulating urine production and reducing the risk of kidney failure.
You should know: Spirulina is also essential for eye health, since it contains a unique element called xanthine, which is a pigment that protects the eye, as well as stimulates blood circulation in the brain to prevent fatigue and visual distortion.
7. Improves the condition of the muscles
Spirulina can greatly improve the condition of the muscles , strengthening the tissues of the same.
This is because xanthine improves skeletal muscle contractions, which is favorable for increasing muscle mass , where essential proteins that are housed in muscle tissue also play a key role, providing energy and strength to the muscles. themselves.
8. Fights anemia
Spirulina is a food that can combat anemia and its symptoms. Reduces fatigue by improving brain activity, along with providing enough iron, mixed with the necessary antioxidant agents that help stimulate the production of red blood cells, improve the quality of hemoglobin and reduce feelings of fatigue or intense dizziness .
9. Contributes to weight loss
Spirulina can contribute a lot to weight loss, in cases of obesity. This food can effectively stimulate the body’s metabolism, achieving greater fat burning and providing the body with enough calories, taking into account that it is capable of generating full satiety in the face of hunger.
Important: A study adds that: “It is known that at least 36 g of this seaweed provide all the essential amino acids, among other different compounds such as fiber and flavonoids with the possibility of treating obesity or overweight . ” (3)
10. Improves mood
Spirulina is good for improving mood in people. The production of serotonin is a big factor in this, since this hormone is essential as a neurotransmitter to control emotions and promote mood, as well as protect cognitive functions and stimulate memory.
Spirulina nutritional properties
Once the essential benefits of spirulina are known, the nutritional properties for the body that exist in its structure can be broken down:
1. Vitamins
Spirulina, or spirulina, has a high content of vitamins , especially vitamin E, vitamin A , numerous B complex vitamins (such as vitamin B6, B1 and B2) , vitamin C and also vitamin K , many of these elements have actions antioxidants and are effective for blood clotting.
2. Minerals
Spirulina is essential to provide a high content of essential minerals , such as iron , calcium , zinc , iodine, phosphorus, magnesium , manganese, sodium, selenium, copper, germanium and potassium . .
3. Other compounds
Spirulina or spirulina, has other content of important compounds such as fiber , phycocyanin (the pigment that gives it its blue-green color), amino acids, proteins , xanthine, essential fatty acids such as saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, apart from lipids. , chlorophyll, calories and carbohydrates.
How is spirulina consumed?
The consumption of spirulina is done in two special ways, because they maintain the nutritional content. The first is in the typical form of greenish powder, which is used as a seasoning for various foods such as salads and soups, adding flavor or color that is even pleasant and helps the digestive system due to antioxidants.
Note: The second method is with the consumption of capsules of the same greenish color, which must be consumed strictly with a medical prescription, in recommended low doses during the first days to evaluate how it acts on the system in general.
What are the risks of Spirulina?
Spirulina or spirulina may have risks because it is just a food and is wrongly defined as a medicine. In this sense, it can cause dehydration, constipation, skin rashes, allergies and even increase internal bleeding.
For the above reasons, it is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as patients with kidney problems, autoimmune diseases or liver disorders.
To highlight: The consumption of spirulina in any of its forms must be moderate and under the supervision of a specialist doctor.
Key Findings
- Spirulina is an algae-like food that is blue-green in color and is fairly easy to grow.
- It has various benefits for liver health, to improve the stability of the nervous system and the intestinal system.
- It has a content of vitamins, essential amino acids and important nutrients in its composition.
- It can be consumed in the form of powder or capsules , but it must be moderated since it can trigger autoimmune disorders and cause allergies and skin irritations.
