Spirulina: Food for the future
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium that belongs to the family of Oscillatoraceae and commonly known as blue-green algae. It is a wonder plant with a high protein having amazing health benefits like an immune booster, cardioprotector, anti-cancerous, stops allergies like sneezing and sniffling. Spirulina also helps in controlling blood pressure and check the cholesterol level of the body. All these prized properties make spirulina a superfood. Before going to the details of its health effects first of all we have to understand what is spirulina and how it can be consumed?
Spirulina: An introduction
Spirulina is photosynthetic bacteria grows in aquatic condition and commonly known as blue-green algae. Under the right environmental condition, spirulina grows very fast to form a huge floating population also known as blooms (1).
Interesting facts about Spirulina blue-green algae
1. High in protein
The protein content of Spirulina is 60 to 70 percent of its dry weight and is five times more than meat (2).
2. Used by Astronauts
Spirulina is also used as a dietary supplement for the astronauts going for a space mission.
3. High nutritional value
According to the studies done by NASA, the nutritional value of 1kg Spirulina is equivalent to 1000 kg of vegetables (3).
4. High Vitamin A
As per studies were done by NASA one gram Spirulina is sufficient enough for fulfilling half the requirement of vitamin A (3).
Health benefits of Spirulina
1. Protein-rich
Spirulina contains a very high amount of protein (60 to 70 % of its dry weight). All the essential amino acids which our body requires are present in spirulina. Spirulina protein also does not need any cooking or processing for its preservation which is one of the main advantages of eating spirulina (4). Therefore persons who have obesity issues or are doing dieting or want to maintain weight can easily introduce spirulina into their food.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Spirulina helps in the inhibition of histamine and mast cells, therefore, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. In a study done on patients with allergic rhinitis, it was found that spirulina consumption improves the condition and symptoms of allergy (5).
The anti-inflammatory action of spirulina is mainly because of its ability to improve the body’s immune system by increasing the production of T-cells, secretory IgA, and antibodies (6).
3. Antidiabetic
Studies done on animal model suggest that spirulina helps in increasing the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and decrease the hexokinase activity of the liver. Thus helps in the metabolism of glucose in the body. Therefore taking spirulina on regular basis helps in lowering down the sugar level and keeps diabetes under control (7).
4. Lowers cholesterol level
Spirulina helps in lowering the cholesterol level of the body. Cholesterol is the root of many types of diseases, therefore, checking an eye on cholesterol level is very important in order to stay healthy. Spirulina helps in the reduction of LDL of the body(8) and therefore keeps the heart healthy and active.
5. Hypertension
Spirulina oral administration helps in lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (10). Spirulina has high in potassium and low in sodium thus helps in controlling the blood pressure. Along with these benefits, spirulina is also helped in stopping platelet aggregation, therefore, is also effective in stopping atherosclerosis (11).
6. Fights anemia
Spirulina helps in decreasing anemia, especially in women and children. Studies show that taking spirulina in the regular diet for 12 weeks helps in increasing the red blood cell in the body particularly in women (9).
7. High calcium
Spirulina contains 180 percent more calcium than milk (2). Therefore a person who is lactose intolerant and requires high calcium for healthy bone can take spirulina as in their normal diet, especially pregnant and lactating women.
8. Healthy Liver
Spirulina is rich in vitamin E and other types of minerals like potassium, sodium, zinc, etc. Along with this spirulina is also high in protein, therefore, consuming spirulina can help in maintaining liver health (12). The hypolipidemic effect of spirulina combines with reduces hexokinase activity as discussed above also helps in keeping the liver healthy.
9. Antiviral
Spirulina is known to have an antiviral agent which helps in preventing viral diseases like influenza, herpes, and HIV. A Japanese study concluded that spirulina has an antiviral compound named calcium spirulan (12). Spirulina also helps in stopping the replication of the HIV virus in the human T helper cells. Spirulina also helps in the inhibition of mother’s child transmission of HIV as it contains high vitamin A (4).
Health benefits in short
- Protects anemia
- Reduce blood pressure
- Benefits for diabetes
- Relief in an allergic reaction
- Relief hypertension
- Lowers cholesterol
- Healthy for heart
- Best diet food
- Rich in antioxidants
- Protects liver
- Removes renal toxicity
- Detoxification of body