Attention all athletes, runners, vegetarians, and health food enthusiasts alike. If you haven’t heard of spirulina, I’d suggest reading on! This superfood is too good to be missed. I read about it a few weeks ago, and my interest was piqued, so I’ve been doing my research. According to multiple doctors, nutritionists, and sports medicine experts, spirulina will definitely do your body good.
First things first though- what is spirulina? Spirulina (which means “little spiral”) is a spiral-shaped blue-green algae, typically dried or dehydrated to form a powder, which contains an extremely high concentration of protein and iron. In fact, this deep green miracle food is made up of over 60% protein (at least twice as much as fish/meats contain and over
6 times as much as do beans). Plus, because its cell walls are easily digestible (unlike those of plants), the protein found in spirulina is more easily digested and absorbed by the body. Spirulina contains ALL 8 essential amino acids, vitamins A, E, K, and several B, and it is high in chlorophyll and calcium (
26 times as much as is found in milk, to be exact). It is also rich in Omega 3s.
So where does this nutrient rich superfood come from? It grows in cold saltwater lakes, and native cultures including the ancient Aztecs jumped on the spirulina bandwagon hundreds of years ago when harvesting it from Lake Texcoco in modern-day Mexico. Africans in countries like Chad have also been consuming spirulina for years. One caveat: a few sources of my research advised to be sure to consume spirulina from reputable distributors in the US, as spirulina harvested from contaminated bodies of water could be hazardous to your health.
So what do all these facts mean for the rest of us? Who is particularly well-suited to reap the benefits of superfood spirulina? Because chlorophyll and other nutrients found in spirulina contain anti-viral properties and help detoxify the blood, it is a great choice for those recovering from surgery or in need of a boost to the immune system (and what busy New Yorker doesn’t need that?). Nutritionists also recommend it to pregnant moms because of the high iron content, vegetarians in need of non-animal sources of protein, and those looking to lose weight (the punch of protein keeps you full much longer). Athletes are another group to embrace the benefits of spirulina. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (the monthly journal of the American College of Sports Medicine) published a study showing that spirulina decreased oxidative damage after workout sessions and was associated with an increase in the amount of fat utilized by the body for fuel (and we all want to burn fat, not muscle during our workouts!). This fact combined with all of the other nutritional benefits of protein-rich spirulina make it a great choice for high-performing runners and athletes.
In a broader, global sense,
some even go so far as to claim that spirulina could be a “sustainable source of food with the potential to end world hunger” because it is so rich in nutrients and can survive in extreme variations of temperature. Some scientists also claim that it may be used to treat those who may not have clean sources of water (even water contaminated by poisons like arsenic). And with everything I’ve been reading about it, I’d say that it is worthy of some serious consideration on the global health front.
In conclusion, spirulina is definitely not a superfood to be overlooked. It is densely packed with so many things that have a positive impact on overall health and well-being. So toss it into salads, smoothies, or stir it directly into water for an instant health boost. Yes it may tint your lips and mouth green and taste a little bit like a pond, but if you can overlook these minor details, you’re body will thank you. I definitely think I’ll pop into my local health food store to buy some myself.
Have a great week!
DASHA wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
