Spirulina is actually not a new invention but ancient superfood.
Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is believed to be one of the primitive life forms on Earth. Scientists believe that spirulina was responsible for producing much of the oxygen on the planet that allowed the earliest organisms to develop.
For centuries, ancients considered Spirulina as a part of their diet with its amazing health benefits. Spirulina grows naturally and profusely in the pure salt water lakes around Lake Chad in Africa and in central Mexico. The natives took the geological advantages and used to consume Spirulina from thousands years ago and up until today.
Interestingly, not only human but the animals that live around Eastern Africa’s Rift Valley, especially the flamingos, include spirulina in their daily diet. Witnessing how spirulina kept the flamingos there alive for longer than their regular lifespan fascinated a French scientist, Pierre Dangeared, to start doing research on spirulina. It evokes more and more scientists to do so as well from 1940.
In 1974, the United Nations declared spirulina as a superfood, as well as the FDA described it as the best supplement. In 1983, spirulina won the “best natural food” award at West Germany’s International Food Expo.
Health benefits of spirulina and why you should include it in your diet.
After knowing this interesting story how spirulina become a famous superfood, you are probably probably more interested in what nutrients spirulina contains and what health benefits it can bring about.
- Spirulina, a source of complete protein
The protein content of Spirulina (50-70% of the dry weight) is high and exceeds that of meat, dried milk, eggs, soybeans or grains. What makes it more awesome is that it contains all the essential amino acids, thus being the natural and plant source of complete protein.
To build up muscle, simply exercising is not enough, replenish is the key. With the fact that doing workout would break down the protein in the muscle and provide energy and power. It is diet, consuming food and protein and carbohydrates which help restore the structural protein to form muscle. Therefore, spirulina is an ideal plant-based source of complete protein in your post-workout drinks.
- Spirulina, a qualitative source of essential fatty acids
Spirulina contains not only essential fatty acids (omega 6), it also contains the rare polyunsaturated fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) with putative medicinal properties. It is considered as one of the best known source of GLA after human milk and some little used vegetable oils such as evening primrose, borage and hemp oil. Other major fatty acids present are the unsaturated oleic and linoleic acids, saturated palmitic acid. In a nutshell, the fatty acids spirulina contains are of high quality and are useful in different human body functions.
- Spirulina – micronutrients rich!
Spirulina is claimed to be the richest whole-food source of provitamin A (beta-carotene). With 20g of Spirulina also fulfilling the significant body requirement of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), B2(riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and B9 (folic acid). Though the mineral content varies depending on the culture medium, all contains iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
There are various potential health effects include immunomodulation, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and antibacterial activities, as well as positive effects against malnutrition, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory allergic reactions, heavy metal/ chemical-induced toxicity, radiation damage and anemias. The key and the strong possible benefits will be mentioned in the next blog post. Stay tuned!
Reference:
Essenatura. Spirulina. Retrieved from http://www.essenatura.com/esse-spirulina/
Nan Pao. Spirulina. Nutrients of spirulina. Retrieved from http://www.spirulina.com.tw/index.php?temp=knowledge&lang=en
Belay, A., Ota, Y., Miyakawa, K. & Shimamatsu H. Current knowledge on potential health benifits of Spirulina. J Appl Phycol (1993) 5: 235. https://doi-org.eproxy.lib.hku.hk/10.1007/BF00004024
Salomon, S. (2013). Uncovering Health Benefits for Spirulina and Salba. Environmental Nutrition, 36(11), 2.
Sotiroudis Theodore G, & Sotiroudis Georgios T. (2013). Health aspects of Spirulina (Arthrospira) microalga food supplement. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society, 78(3), 395-405.