There are many vegetative properties around us, which can be used to benefit our health in many ways. One of these is Spirulina. It is an alga, which is found in water, maybe new to you, but it has been used for years as an effective Ayurvedic medicine. In this article, we will tell you about this unfamiliar Spirulina. In this article, you will get information about the benefits of Spirulina with scientific evidence and other important things related to it.
Let us first know what Spirulina is. Next, we will talk about the benefits of Spirulina.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is an alga found in water. It is found in freshwater. It is also known as green-blue algae. It is being used a lot due to its nutrients and health benefits. This blue-green alga has an intense taste and smell, which can bring you many health benefits. Keep reading this article to learn more about the benefits of Spirulina.
Later in the article, we will tell you about the advantages, and disadvantages of Spirulina based on the facts.
Benefits of Spirulina-
1. Cancer
A compound called phycocyanin is found in Spirulina. According to research, phycocyanin has the potential to work as a cancer drug. Therefore, it can serve as an anti-cancer drug or an anti-cancer drug supplement. Research suggests that Spirulina also acts like chemopreventive in our body, which does not allow cancer cells to grow.
2. Helpful in weight loss
The antioxidant properties present in Spirulina can reduce the fat accumulating in the middle of the stomach and prevent lipid (Fat) deposition and oxidative stress in the liver, resulting in reduced body weight. However, more research is still needed on this.
3. Diabetes
Consumption of Spirulina leads to a decrease in blood sugar and triglyceride (fat) levels, thereby controlling diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Besides, phycocyanin, found in Spirulina, has anti-diabetic properties. It is effective in improving the lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes.
4. Heart
Both high blood pressure and cholesterol levels are associated with heart health. Both hypertension and cholesterol cause heart attack and other heart problems. Spirulina can reduce both of these risk factors. Therefore, it is believed that Spirulina may be beneficial for heart disease.
5. Brain Health
The benefits of Spirulina also include brain health. It reduces the accumulation of Aβ protein in the brain and also prevents decreased memory. Spirulina has also been considered helpful in reducing inflammation in the brain. Therefore, it may also be helpful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement in the brain). Spirulina also improves neuronal density by creating new neurons, thereby maintaining brain health.
6. Immune System
Due to the lack of nutrients, there is a decrease in immunity of the body. According to studies, the nutrients present in Spirulina can improve immunity by removing nutritional deficiencies. Spirulina helps prevent changes in the production of T-cells due to changes in immunity. A T-cell is a major lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell, directly related to the immune system.
7. Anaemia
Anaemia means a decrease in haemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood. The feeling of weakness and fatigue remains in the body for a long time due to anaemia. Due to the iron and folate present in Spirulina, supplementation increases the haemoglobin content of red blood cells, and also increases the immune system.
8. Digestion
Spirulina can act to promote healthy digestion. Spirulina is rich in amino acids and protein. With the help of these elements, the food present in the body is digested properly.
9. Avoidance of Inflammation
The main component of Spirulina is phycocyanin, which is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it can be said that Spirulina can play an important role in preventing and controlling inflammation in the body. However, further research is still needed to find out its better effect on inflation. The anti-inflammatory properties present in Spirulina are also helpful in the treatment of arthritis.
10. HIV
In the article above, explaining the benefits of Spirulina, we have mentioned that it enhances immunity. In such a situation, these HIV patients whose immunity has become very weak can help in correcting their immune system. It can also slow down the speed of its increased infection. Indeed, spirulina extracts inhibit the replication (more than one process) of HIV with the help of spirulina calcium.
11. The avoidance of Arsenic Poisoning
Arsenic is an element that is found everywhere under the earth, water, air, but it has neither smell nor taste. If its quantity becomes more in the body, poisoning or poisoning starts. Here Spirulina can also help protect the body from arsenic. The antioxidant and immunity effects present in Spirulina prevent the arsenic meteorites from freezing in the body.
12. In the treatment of Candida
The benefits of Spirulina are many. The nutrients in it can also protect you from Candida. Actually, Candida is a fungus, which is present almost everywhere along the body. When the immune system is weak, it begins to spread in the body like an infection. Spirulina has anti-fungal properties which may prove helpful in reducing the risk of getting candidacies.
13. Help in increasing eyesight
The benefits of Spirulina also include increasing eye light. Actually, Spirulina contains beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin-A improves eyesight as well as promotes the ability to see clearly in low light.
14. For Acne
The benefits of Spirulina are many. The antioxidants present in it can act to flush out skin toxins, which can promote the growth of new skin cells. According to research, c-phycocyanin present in Spirulina may help prevent acne.
15. Skin ageing
Spirulina contains tyrosine, vitamin-E (tocopherol) and selenium, all of which are known to eliminate facial ageing effects. Tyrosines slow the ageing of skin cells. The antioxidants present in it eliminate the free radicals that cause wrinkles on the skin. You can make Spirulina paste for facial wrinkles with the help of water.
16. For hair
Lack of essential nutrients in the body is also the reason hair growth stops immediately. Therefore, nutrient treasure spirulina is considered beneficial for hair growth. It contains essential nutrients for hair. With the help of proteins, fatty acids and iron found in it, you can get thick hair by stopping the falling hair.
After the benefits of Spirulina, keep reading this article for other information related to this aquatic plant. We will also tell you about the loss of eating Spirulina next.
Nutritional elements of Spirulina-
Spirulina is rich in nutrients, due to which it gives many health benefits to the body. Let’s take a look at all the nutrients found in Spirulina.
Nutrient Quantity- Per 100 gm
| Water | 4.68 g |
| Energy | 290 kcal |
| Protein | 57.47 g |
| Total Fat | 7.72 g |
| Carbohydrate | 23.90 g |
| Fibre 3.6 g | 3.6 g |
| Sugar | 3.10 g |
Minerals- per 100 gm
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Iron | 28.50 mg |
| Magnesium | 195 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 118 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1363 mg |
| Sodium | 1048 mg |
| Zinc | 2.00 mg |
Vitamins- per 100 gm
| Vitamin C | 10.1 mg |
| Thiamine | 2.380mg |
| Riboflavin | 3.670 mg |
| Niacin | 12.820 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.364 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 94 µg |
| Vitamin A | RAE29 µg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 570IU |
| Vitamin E, (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 25.5µg |
Lipid- per 100 gm
| Lipid fatty acids, saturated | 2.650 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.675g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.080 g |
Use of Spirulina–
Before knowing the use of Spirulina, it is important to know in what form and where it is found. Actually, Algae, i.e. Spirulina, is available in the market in the form of powder, tablet and capsule. You can also buy it online.
Know below some common ways of consuming it-
- You can drink a limited amount of spirulina powder mixed with fruit juice.
- You can take spirulina capsule or powder as a dosage.
- If you find dried Spirulina, you can use these as a topping in your snacks. Information about the use of Spirulina in snacks can be obtained from the dietitian.
How much to eat?
In general, Spirulina should be eaten only 3 to 4.5 grams per day as a dietary supplement. However, according to physical needs, it is necessary to consult a doctor to know its exact quantity.
After the benefits and use of Spirulina, let’s take a look at the loss of Spirulina.
Loss of Spirulina-
There are benefits of eating Spirulina, but its consumption can also harm you. Therefore, you must consult a doctor once before consuming Spirulina. Some of the minor adverse effects that usually occur after eating Spirulina are as follows-
- Diarrhoea
- Upset stomach
- stomach enlargement
- Edema (swelling)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Facial bloating
- Sweat
You may have learned a lot about this unknown water plant spirulina through this article. After knowing the benefits of Spirulina, if you are thinking of consuming it, then take a look at its harm as well, because an overdose of anything can prove to be harmful. If you still have some questions about Spirulina, you can connect with us through the comment box below. Do not forget to share this article with your friends and relatives.
