Spirulina: Benefits and Our Top Picks! – GWC Mag

In the world of superfoods, few have garnered as much attention and acclaim as spirulina. With its vibrant green hue and impressive nutritional profile, spirulina has earned its place as a dietary powerhouse. Derived from blue-green algae that flourish in freshwater and alkaline environments, spirulina has captivated researchers, health enthusiasts, and nutritionists alike. There are myriad benefits from spirulina and it has immense potential to enhance overall well-being.

Benefits

Spirulina has gained immense popularity as a dietary supplement due to its robust nutritional content and antioxidant prowess. This cyanobacteria, often referred to as blue-green algae, harnesses the power of photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, akin to plants. While its history dates back to its consumption by the Aztecs, spirulina regained attention when NASA explored its potential as space sustenance for astronauts. This unassuming microorganism is teeming with nutrients, with just a tablespoon of dried spirulina powder (approximately 7 grams) containing a wealth of essentials for optimal health.

Spirulina packs a punch with its nutritional bounty. A mere tablespoon of dried spirulina powder contains an impressive array of vital elements:

• Protein: 4 g
• Thiamin: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Riboflavin: 20% of the DV
• Niacin: 6% of the DV
• Copper: 47% of the DV
• Iron: 11% of the DV

This tiny powerhouse also boasts respectable amounts of magnesium, potassium, and manganese, bolstering its status as a nutritional dynamo.

Additionally, one of spirulina’s most celebrated attributes is its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As an oxidative damage fighter, spirulina’s antioxidants can help mitigate muscle fatigue caused by exercise-induced stress. Its role in cholesterol regulation further underscores its health benefits. Spirulina has demonstrated its ability to lower total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while concurrently boosting HDL (good) cholesterol. These effects contribute to its potential to maintain cardiovascular health.

Though more research is warranted, spirulina exhibits promising anti-cancer characteristics. Animal studies suggest that it could potentially deter cancer development and shrink tumors. Research into spirulina’s effects on oral cancer, a well-studied area, has revealed its utility in managing oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a precancerous mouth condition. In a study comparing spirulina to a conventional medication, spirulina emerged as a more effective remedy for improving OSMF symptoms.

For individuals aiming to enhance their physical performance, spirulina might hold the key. Its antioxidant properties offer protective benefits against exercise-induced oxidative damage, contributing to improved muscle strength and endurance. Some studies even point to spirulina’s potential as an ergogenic aid, enhancing oxygen uptake during exercise. This indicates that spirulina might hold promise for athletes and active individuals seeking to optimize their performance levels.

1. Earth Circle Organics

Earth Circle Organics Spirulina powder is certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, has no additives, and is 100% plant-based! This raw spirulina is broad spectrum for maximum potency and supports overall health and wellbeing. This bag costs $25.99 and has 56 servings!

With an overall rating of 4.3 stars on Amazon, this brand is highly rated. GabbyP said, “After reading about the superfood Spirulina Powder- I was curious to try it myself since I am now on a plant-based diet. I tried it in a recent smoothie and loved the taste but the nutrition, especially the protein. I put it in my breakfast smoothie daily and will continue to so, until it runs out and THEN I will purchase it again (probably a bigger package!). I am so excited to include this in my new routine. My purchase was exactly what I thought it would be and I have given it 5 stars.”

2. Maju Superfoods

Maju Superfood’s Organic Spirulina Powder is GMP-certified, non-GMO, USDA organic, gluten-free, and vegan! According to reviews, it does not have a fishy smell and is easy to mix into liquids. The 8 oz bag of spirulina is $14.99 and has 75 servings. This is a very competitive price compared to others on the market.

One reviewer said, “In my opinion, this is the best spirulina powder available on Amazon. I have been a vegan for seven months and have been looking for plant protein sources that are easy to incorporate into my diet and this is it. I add it to my smoothie in the morning with all my other veggies and fruits and it tastes delicious. It does change the color of the drink to a nice green color which I happen to enjoy. It does not have a strong taste or smell and I’m partial to anything green as it always tends to be good for you. The container easily lasts me for two months. I have a smoothie every other day 3 – 4 times a week. It is worth every penny and the customer service is excellent, they really seem to care about their customers. If you’re on the fence give it a try you will not regret it.”

3. Zazzee

Zazzee Spirulina Powder is USDA organic, all-natural, and vegan! With a mess-free wide-mouth container, it is easy to use. The 2.2-pound tub holds 303 servings and costs $38.97 — a great bulk price!

It has pretty high ratings on Amazon. One reviewer said, “This goes into my smoothie every day so I make sure I get my greens and nutrition. Love it! You can’t taste it at all. I can feel the difference when I don’t take it.”

4. Micro Ingredients

Micro Ingredients Organic Spirulina Supplements come in an easy-to-swallow tablet, rather than a powder. They are filler-free, non-GMO, organic, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan! This four-month supply is $25.95 which is comparable to powdered supplements of a similar serving size, if not a little bit more expensive.

One reviewer said, “I just started taking this Spirulina supplement for 3 days but I have already taken Spirulina supplement before and it helps you with less shortness of breath, less easy fatigability, and helps you get energized.”

5. Nature’s Wellness

Nature’s Wellness Organic Spirulina Tablets are USDA organic, vegan, gluten-free, and sustainably grown. They are made in an FDA-registered facility in the USA, third-party tested, and free of herbicides and pesticides. Each bottle has 30 servings and costs $29.99, which is on the pricier side for spirulina supplements.

Overall, it has 4.5 stars on Amazon. Blair said, “I take a lot of supplements, and for years, I was swallowing handfuls of vegetable capsules daily (which I recently learned are completely indigestible). I try to follow a mostly plant-based diet and had no idea all of the veggie caps I was taking caused my digestive issues. So I went on the hunt to replace almost all of my supplements with forms that make more sense for my body and lifestyle. In the case of Spirulina, I cannot tolerate the taste of it, so powders were not an option. These tablets are perfect because they are organic, easy to swallow, and have absolutely no other ingredients or fillers which is very important to me. I also like the packaging which matters to me.”

6. Triquetra

Triquetra Organic Spirulina comes in powder form. It is raw, vegan, halal, filler-free, solvent-free, and gluten-free! It also is USDA organic and EU organic. Seventy-five servings cost $34.95, which is on the higher side.

Clare said in her five-star review, “I love this powder as well as the brand’s Barely Wheat Grass Juice powder. It is great to do the MM heavy metal detox smoothie. It is a little less expensive than the brand recommended by the MM but I feel this brand works well for me and is a good choice for the money. I am recovering in health with long haul for over 2 years, these powders and that smoothie helped bring me back to life for real!! I highly recommend this brand.”

7. KOS

KOS Organic Show Me The Greens Superfood Powder not only has spirulina, but it also has 11 other superfoods and 4 vitamins and minerals. With the benefits of spirulina, chlorella, and wheatgrass this vegan, gluten-free, organic supplement packs a punch. It has 28 servings and costs $23.49, which is pricy compared to others but boasts more nutrients.

Gabriela Rivera said, “I can’t believe how great this product is! I’ve been looking for a superfood mix to help me get enough veggies in and decided to purchase this product. The flavor was amazing. I was truly surprised that it didn’t have any artificial aftertaste. The apple hint is perfect. I was also very surprised at how easy this product was to mix. I didn’t want to put it in the blender, so I decided to mix it in water with a fork. VERY easy to blend. Great product, my stomach feels great!”

8. Lone Star Botanicals

Lone Star Botanicals Blue Spirulina Powder is vegan, gluten-free, organic, and non-GMO. This blue powder is extracted from green spirulina and holds more antioxidants. For 30 servings, this bag costs $19.99, which is comparable to some similar products but others are a better price on the market.

One Amazon reviewer said, “Does this taste good? Nope! It kinda tastes a bit earthy, but if you’ve ever used spirulina before you should already know it tastes a bit odd. The taste is just like the blue spirulina I was paying twice the price for and it had all the same benefits. I always just add it to my iced coffee with cream and it’s fine, I think I actually kinda of like the taste at this point, but I’m a weirdo so don’t trust my freakish palette.

So far this has been very good for me and I think it gives me a bit of an immune system boost. BUT I’m not a doctor so that’s 100% just what I think and I have no actual evidence to back it up. If you’re looking to add this to your diet this is a good price for the amount and it tastes just as good as any other brand that hasn’t tried to hide the taste with fake sweeteners or sugar. It’s a win for me.”

9. Nutricost Organic

Nutrcost Organic Spirulina is unflavored, vegan, third-party tested, and gluten-free. The giant tub boasts 454 servings and only costs $21.95. What a steal!

Reviewers seem to like this brand. Carla Belliard said, “I have started taking this Spirulina and I am feeling so much better. I had read that taking Spirulina could help make allergy symptoms milder so I decided to take it. The first time I took it I did not like the taste but from what I had read this was normal with pure Spirulina. I then decided to spread the suggested dosage over many different drinks. Doing it this way the taste is much milder. I had also read that you could put the powder into capsules and my next purchase will be a capsule packing machine. 🙂

As far as the benefits I have received have been nothing short of amazing. During this time last summer I had to constantly take anti-histamines to even function as a person. While taking this on a regular basis, I have noticed that my allergies have been so much milder. My eyes are not as itchy and my nose doesn’t drip as much but best of all is that I don’t have to take as much medicine as I used to. I am hopeful that if I continue supplementing with this wonderful product, my allergies will continue to get milder. I will buy this again and would recommend it to anybody.”

10. California Gold Nutrition

This spirulina supplement by California Gold Nutrition is free from soy, gluten, and GMOs.  Additionally, it is vegan! The bottle has 80 servings, 240 tablets, and costs $13.40. 

This brand does have high ratings, but not very many reviews. One said, “Great quality! I recommend to everyone …”

Brimming with an array of essential nutrients, spirulina has rightfully earned its place among the world’s most prized superfoods. Its ability to supply a wealth of proteins, vitamins, and minerals presents a holistic approach to fortifying health and vitality. Beyond its impressive nutritional profile, spirulina’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties offer a shield against oxidative stress and exercise-induced fatigue. If you are looking to add spirulina to your diet but are unsure, consult with a healthcare professional!

For recipes using spirulina, download the Food Monster App!

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