{"id":5704,"date":"2024-05-16T09:41:03","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T06:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/?p=5704"},"modified":"2025-03-27T18:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T15:18:56","slug":"spirulina-eng","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/spirulina-eng\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirulina"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spirulina is a type of algae that grows in fresh or salt water. It comes as a supplement, in tablet or powder form. People use it for its health benefits, as it is rich in nutrients and has antioxidant properties. <\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Spirulina is among the world\u2019s most popular supplements. It is made from an organism that grows in both fresh and saltwater.\u00a0 It is a (1<\/a>), which is a family of single-celled microbes that are often referred to as blue-green algae. Just like plants, cyanobacteria can produce energy from sunlight via a process called photosynthesis.\u00a0Spirulina was\u00a0<\/span>consumed<\/span> (<\/span>2<\/span><\/a>) by the ancient Aztecs but became popular again when NASA proposed that it could be grown in space for use by astronauts.\u00a0<\/span>These days, people use spirulina to boost the levels of nutrients and antioxidants in their bodies, and it may help protect against various diseases. <\/span>Here are 10 evidence-based health uses and benefits of spirulina.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rich in Many Nutrients<\/b><\/h2>\n

Spirulina is packed with nutrients. A single tablespoon (tbsp), or 7 grams (g), of\u00a0<\/span>dried spirulina <\/span>powder,\u00a0<\/span>contains<\/span> (<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>):<\/span><\/p>\n

Protein:<\/b>\u00a04 g
\n<\/span>Thiamin:<\/b> 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
\n<\/span>Riboflavin:<\/b>\u00a020% of the DV
\n<\/span>Niacin:<\/b>\u00a06% of the DV
\n<\/span>Copper:<\/b>\u00a047% of the DV
\n<\/span>Iron:<\/b>\u00a011% of the DV<\/span><\/p>\n

It also contains small amounts of\u00a0<\/span>magnesium,\u00a0potassium, and <\/span>manganese. <\/span>In addition, the same amount contains only 20 calories and less than 2 g of carbohydrates. <\/span>Spirulina also provides a small amount of fat \u2014 around 1 g per tbsp (7 g) \u2014 including both\u00a0<\/span>omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids\u00a0in <\/span>an approximately 1.5 to 1 ratio. <\/span>Plus, the quality of the protein in spirulina is considered excellent and\u00a0<\/span>provides<\/span> (<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0all of the\u00a0<\/span>essential amino acids\u00a0<\/span>that your body needs. <\/span>Note that it is often claimed that spirulina <\/span>contains\u00a0vitamin B12,\u00a0but this is false. It has pseudovitamin B12, which has\u00a0not been shown to be effective\u00a0in humans<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boasts Powerful Antioxidant And Anti-inflammatory Properties<\/b><\/h2>\n

The main component of spirulina is called phycocyanin, which is an\u00a0<\/span>antioxidant\u00a0<\/span>that also gives it its unique blue color. <\/span>Phycocyanin can help fight\u00a0<\/span>oxidative stress\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0<\/span>blocking<\/span> (<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0the production of molecules that promote inflammation <\/span>and\u00a0providing<\/span> (<\/span>5<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

May Lower Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels<\/b><\/h2>\n

Spirulina\u00a0<\/span>can help lower<\/span> (<\/span>6<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0total cholesterol, low-<\/span>density\u00a0lipoprotein\u00a0(LDL<\/span>) or bad cholesterol, and\u00a0<\/span>triglycerides<\/span>, while also increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease. <\/span>According to\u00a0<\/span>one review (<\/span>7<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> spirulina was able to significantly improve these markers in people <\/span>with\u00a0metabolic syndrome\u00a0and related <\/span>disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protects LDL Cholesterol From Oxidation<\/b><\/h2>\n

Fatty structures in your body are susceptible to\u00a0<\/span>oxidative damage<\/span>. This is known as<\/span> (<\/span>8<\/span><\/a>), a key driver of many serious diseases. <\/span>Research <\/span>(<\/span>9<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0found that the\u00a0<\/span>antioxidants\u00a0<\/span>in spirulina may be particularly effective at reducing lipid peroxidation. <\/span>In fact, one <\/span>small study<\/span> (<\/span>10<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0showed that spirulina supplementation was able to reduce exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and muscle damage in 17 rugby players.<\/span><\/p>\n

May Have Anti-cancer Properties<\/b><\/h2>\n

While more studies are needed, some evidence suggests that spirulina has\u00a0<\/span>anti-cancer properties<\/span>. <\/span>Research in animals\u00a0<\/span>indicates <\/span>(<\/span>11<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0that it may help reduce cancer occurrence and tumor size in various cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n

May Reduce Blood Pressure<\/b><\/h2>\n

One\u00a0<\/span>review of five studies<\/span> (<\/span>12<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0found that taking 1-8 g of spirulina per day could significantly reduce both\u00a0<\/span>systolic and diastolic blood pressure<\/span>, especially for people with <\/span>high blood pressure levels.\u00a0<\/span>This reduction is thought to be\u00a0<\/span>driven by <\/span>(<\/span>13<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0an increased production of\u00a0<\/span>nitric oxide<\/span>, a sig<\/span>naling molecule that helps your blood vessels relax and dilate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improves Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis<\/b><\/p>\n

Spirulina is a popular alternative treatment for symptoms of\u00a0<\/span>allergic rhinitis, and <\/span>there is evidence that it can be effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance,\u00a0<\/span>one study<\/span> (<\/span>14<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0found that spirulina was more effective than\u00a0<\/span>cetirizine, an\u00a0antihistamine\u00a0<\/span>used to treat allergies, in improving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and decreasing inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Could Be Effective Against Anemia<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anemia\u00a0is <\/span>fairly\u00a0<\/span>common<\/span> (<\/span>15<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0in older adults, leading to prolonged feelings of weakness and\u00a0<\/span>fatigue<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0<\/span>2020 study\u00a0found <\/span>that taking spirulina may improve anemia in pregnant people during the second trimester. In 2021,\u00a0<\/span>researchers<\/span> (<\/span>16<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0also found it may also improve\u00a0<\/span>iron deficiency\u00a0in <\/span>young children.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, more high-quality, recent studies are still needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

May Improve Muscle Strength and Endurance<\/b><\/h2>\n

Exercise-induced oxidative damage is a\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>17<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>muscle fatigue<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spirulina may help reduce this, as\u00a0<\/span>research <\/span>(<\/span>18<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0points to improved muscle strength and endurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0<\/span>(18<\/span><\/a>), spirulina supplementation was able to improve oxygen uptake during an arm\u00a0<\/span>cycling\u00a0<\/span>exercise, with researchers noting that it could act as an\u00a0<\/span>ergogenic aid\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>enhance athletic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Could Support Blood Sugar Control<\/b><\/h2>\n

Animal research <\/span>(<\/span>19<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0suggests that spirulina could <\/span>help\u00a0<\/span>lower blood sugar<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>levels. <\/span>However, according to<\/span> (<\/span>20<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0on humans, spirulina supplementation in doses ranging from 0.8-8 g daily could significantly reduce\u00a0<\/span>fasting blood sugar levels<\/span>\u00a0in people with\u00a0<\/span>type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there was no significant effect on blood sugar levels after eating or levels of\u00a0<\/span>hemoglobin A1c, <\/span>which is\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>21<\/span>)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to measure long-<\/span>term\u00a0blood sugar control.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spirulina is a type of algae that grows in fresh or salt water. It comes as a supplement, in tablet or powder form. People use…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":9899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plant-index"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5704"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8263,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5704\/revisions\/8263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}