You might have even seen spirulina before in health stores or cafes. They are the deep, blue-green color algae mostly sold in powder form to deliver their evident health benefits. But people who have no idea what to do with this superfood from the sea may have a strong aversion.
Formal Introduction to Spirulina
Wondering where the name Spirulina came from? It is basically derived from the Latin word for "helix" or "spiral" which denotes the physical configuration of the organism when it forms swirling, microscopic strands. Besides, Spirulina is blue - green algae as you now know. It is a simple, one-celled form of algae that thrives on warm, alkaline fresh-water bodies.
Spirulina as a health booster
Spirulina, considered a food item for centuries in many countries, is now popularly thought of as a dietary supplement. This freshwater plant that's grown across the globe, from Africa to Hawaii, has an impressive nutritional profile, being packed with numerous vitamins and nutrients. It's also a great source of plant-based protein and in competition with its algae cousin chlorella. So now let us check out one by one Spirulina health benefits for you to add happily in your diet:
Candida Elimination
Candida is a fungus that aids with nutrient absorption and digestion and appears naturally in the body. It is a chronic condition that can lead to leaky gut, brain fog or weight gain, as well as autoimmune diseases like lupus, Hashimoto's or Crohn's disease. Thankfully, spirulina can help as several studies on animal show that it's effective on candida as it helps to slow the growth of and successfully eliminates harmful bacteria. And spirulina has also been shown to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which will keep candida in check long-term.
Lower Blood Pressure
Phycocyanin is a pigment found in spirulina that helps lower blood pressure, and while it has yet to be determined exactly how it works, the leading theory is that the algae reverses endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome – that is, there's an imbalance between the relaxation and contraction of the membrane lining the heart and blood vessels, and spirulina helps balance the scales.
Because metabolic syndrome is responsible for raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, spirulina's role in regulating blood pressure – sans medication – is not only impressive, but far reaching.
Reduction in Cholesterol
As per a study, it was found that consuming 4.5 grams of spirulina a day for just six weeks significantly lowered bad cholesterol while increasing the good kind, while lowering blood pressure in the process. At a time when prescription medication is widely used to regulate cholesterol, adding cholesterol-lowering foods as an all-natural antidote is imperative.
Speedy Weight Loss
Eating foods like spirulina may help your body become a lean. Since diets high in nutrient-dense, protein-rich foods like spirulina are known to promote weight loss. It is believed that protein deficiency can lead to low energy, trouble building muscles even after all those gym session, low concentration, unstable blood sugar levels and, of course, trouble maintaining or losing weight. This is because protein is used to develop, grow and maintain pretty much every part of our bodies. The algae can also curb hunger, stopping those food cravings.
No comments:
Post a Comment