Spirulina (the word means tiny spiral in Latin) is a type of bacteria. It comes from the genus of the phylum Cyanobacteria. It is capable of growing in fresh as well as in the seawater. More to this it is one of the old species found on the planet. Being a stronger species Spirulina can survive in warm water at approximately 35 to 40 0C.
The reason behind this deep study is its benefits for the human body and mind. Spirulina has a great number of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, Making it a superfood for humans. Read the article to know this Magical Herb and how it is beneficial to us.
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5 Health Benefits of Spirulina
Spirulina owns the rich history. It is helping millions of people all over the world. People add this magical herb to the diet for discovering its health benefits. To help you to know about Spirulina, we are listing here 5 Health Benefits of Spirulina.
1. Spirulina Is Extremely High in Many Nutrients
Spirulina is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. If we consider one tablespoon of dry Spirulina powder, it means about 7 grams of Spirulina. This much Spirulina powder contains the following nutrients:
- Protein is about 4 grams
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is about 11% of the RDA
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is about 15% of the RDA
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) is about 4% of the RDA
- Copper is about 21% of the RDA
- Iron is about 11% of the RDA
- Fat is about 1 gram (includes omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids)
Also, there is some amount of magnesium, potassium and manganese are present in the Spirulina. More to that iron in Spirulina is 60% absorbed compare to others. It is a good amount to be considered.
However, while consuming microorganisms we should check the content of nucleic acids. Nucleic acid can be the reason for diseases like gout. Surprisingly, Spirulina contains less than 5% of these acids.
2. Powerful Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Spirulina is blue-green algae. it is because of the presence of the antioxidant substance phycocyanin. The phycocyanin provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects making the Spirulina a powerful drug.
More often oxidative damage causes chronic inflammation. This inflammation can be the reason for cancer and other major diseases. Likewise, it can harm your cells and DNA. Spirulina can prevent this cancer-causing oxidative damage as it contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. May Have Anti-Cancer Properties
There are some studies, that indicate Spirulina may have Anti-Cancer Properties. They studied around 87 people. All of them were Indian and having precancerous lesions in the mouth.
The precancerous lesions are also called oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). The study shows people who took 1 gram of Spirulina per day for an entire year get good results. About 45% of people experience no more precancerous lesions in their mouth. This was in comparison with the 7% in the control group.
Moreover, after then when they stop the dose, many of them recognize lesions again. Another study examines 40 people with OSMF lesions. Same like the previous group they took 1 gram of Spirulina per day. These people were recovering faster than people who took Pentoxyfilline.
These two studies show Spirulina works on oral cancer. Likewise, after researching on animals, Spirulina has reduced cancer cells and tumor size.
4. May Reduce Blood Pressure
Many people are facing blood pressure problems. Moreover, high blood pressure can cause many other diseases like heart attack and strokes.
On the blood pressure problems, it is suggested to take about 4.5 grams of Spirulina per day. These much of Spirulina is enough for your body to keep blood pressure rates normal. It is because nitric oxide keeps your blood vessels free and relax.
5. May Improve Muscle Strength and Endurance
Exercise harms our muscles to rebuild them. But more often we feel low and weak. This is the reason many people take energy foods after exercise. Energy food contains antioxidant properties which help us to minimize the damage and rebuild the cells.
Spirulina too shows similar antioxidant properties. People have benefited by increasing strength endurance after taking Spirulina. Also, it results in increasing energy. Study shows people who took Spirulina, take more time to exhaust.
Conclusion
The blue-green algae, Spirulina is a superfood for mankind. It contains many nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. More to that, it helps to increase muscle strength, endurance, reducing blood pressure, etc. It may have properties to fight cancer, reduce oxidative damage in the body, and so on. Considering all these benefits we can call Spirulina a magical herb.
