10 Best Spirulina Powders of January 2020

Spirulina is a well-known supplement that is used by health enthusiasts all over the world. It has a wide variety of nutrients as well as antioxidants that benefit the entire body. Typically, it is sold in powder form and available ina range of quantities.

Spirulina Powder, algae that work

The question “What is Spirulina Powder” is quite common for those interacting with the supplement for the first time. In simple terms, Spirulina is a powder from a natural alga which has an incredibly high nutrient content.

The powder has a lot of nutrients that are beneficial to the body. Some of the nutrients found in the powder include B Vitamins, Vitamin E and beta-carotene. Apart from vitamins, the powder comprises of proteins, antioxidants, minerals and essential amino acids that are great for vegetarians.

Spirulina is often referred to as the most nutrient dense food on earth because of the many nutrients that are part of its composition. It is believed to have the highest concentration of protein as well as vitamins when compared to other foods. Even when compared gram for gram with a variety of foods, it still comes out on top.

Benefits of Spirulina Powder the “Superfood”?

The nutrient-rich Spirulina Powder offers a lot of benefits to people seeking to live a healthy life. The superfood is ideal for vegetarians because of its high protein and vitamin content making it an excellent dietary supplement. It also has inflammation and antioxidant properties that help in regulating the immune system. Besides offering a wide range of nutrients, Spirulina Powder Benefits also extend to the healthiness of a person. Below are some of the health benefits that the powder provides for both men and women.

Cancer prevention

The consumption of spirulina powder can prevent cancer and in rare cases treat an already existing case. The green algae work against all types of cancer with the most common ones being breast cancer. Some of the ways it prevents cancer are by reducing the rate of cancer cell proliferation; it has chemo-preventative potential; acts against harmful mutagens and carcinogens and it can kill cancer-causing cells.

Lowering blood pressure

Patients that are overweight and have hypertension can maintain their blood pressure by including spirulina in their food or drink. The dietary supplement lowers cholesterol and regulates blood pressure when taken for at least three months continually.

Weight loss

Losing weight requires the use of a diet to reduce the number of calories consumed daily. However, the reduction of calories may sometimes end up excluding essential nutrients needed in the body. Introducing of spirulina powder, which is low calorie but rich in nutrients into one’s diet makes it easier to lose weight without leaving out important nutrients. The powder can be consumed as capsules or powder in energy drinks or meals among others.

Diabetes management

Maintenance of blood sugar for diabetes patients is a priority with many of them looking for ways to lower their glucose level. Spirulina helps control the level of blood sugar making it easier for those suffering from the disease to enjoy stable sugar levels for an extended period. Also, the powder assists patients suffering from either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with the latter showing a better response to its consumption.

Lowering cholesterol levels

High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease if not dealt with in good time. Apart from exercising, the levels can be reduced by taking Spirulina powder which impacts blood lipids positively. Typically, lipids are fats in the blood which need to be maintained at a specific level to prevent heart disease.

Things you can do with Spirulina

Spirulina Powder can be used in many ways with the majority of people using it to enrich their regular diet. The powder is introduced to food and drinks in small quantities because of its strong nature and earthy green color that changes the color of everything it comes into contact with.

Some of the uses of the powder can be as an additive to your power smoothieafter working out; as energyballs and as an extra ingredient to a guacamole dip among the others. The uses of Spirulina are quite diverse giving those interested in eating it an opportunity to come up with as many recipes as possible.

Some of the favorite recipes that include Spirulina Powder as an ingredient are listed below.

Spirulina smoothie

Ingredients:

• Handful of spinach
• 1 cup of pineapple
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 or two tbsp. spirulina powder
• Ice/ Water

Method:

Blend the spinach, pineapple, cucumber, water,and ice until smooth. Add the spirulina powder and blend it once again until it dissolves completely. Serve chilled.

Spirulina energy balls

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 chopped dates
• 2 tbsps. maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
• 1/4 teaspoon of spirulina powder
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Method:

Place the cashews and oats in a blender and blend till they resemble coarse flour. Add the dates, shredded coconut, maple syrup, and spirulina powder. Blend some more until it turns into a dough that is sticky to touch. Remove the mixture and roll into small sized balls. If desired, roll them in sesame seeds and place them in the refrigerator for storage.

Spirulina guacamole

Ingredients:

• 2 diced ripe avocados
• 1 chopped small onion
• 1 juiced lime
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon spirulina
• 1 chopped ripe tomato
• 1 finely diced hot green chili (optional)

Method:

In a bowl, combine the avocados, cilantro, tomato, onion, lime, and spirulina.  Add pepper, green chili and a pinch of salt and mash together with a fork.

Best Spirulina Powder?

Finding the Best Spirulina Powder can be overwhelming if you have not interacted with the supplement before. There are several brands available in the market with a majority of them sold in-store and others on popular e-commerce websites. Some of the e-commerce sites that sell Spirulina powder include Amazon, eBay and vitamin shoppe among others. Popular brands that offer the nutrient-rich powder to health enthusiast include: 

Nutrex-Hawaii Spirulina

The Nutrex-Hawaii Spirulina has been one of the best in the market for over ten years. The supplement has all the vitamins and proteins that are needed to enrich meals and drinks for both the young and old. It is also affordable and regularly costs between twenty and thirty dollars depending on the quantity and e-commerce site. 

Health force Spirulina

The company that produces this brand of Spirulina is known for its 100% organic product range. The vegan company do thorough tests of their products and ensure their supplements are high quality at all times. A unique aspect of the Spirulina powder from this brand is that it has a stronger smell and taste when compared to other brands. Also, it costs just under thirty dollars for a 150-gram bottle.

Earthrise Spirulina

Earthrise Spirulina is a well-known brand which has been offering supplements for many years. They use organic ingredients in the production of the powder and ensure none of the nutrients are lost. A 180gram bottle of Earthrise Spirulina will set you back forty-seven dollars or more depending on the site you choose.

Spirulina same as Chlorella?

Spirulina and chlorella are considered to be top superfoods because of the nutritional benefits they offer those that include them in their daily regimen. These supplements have become popular over time and are sometimes seen to be similar when the focusis on the high nutritional value they offer. However, this is not the case as they have a variety of properties that set them apart. Some of the top differences between Spirulina and Chlorella are listed below.

Color – Chlorella is green in color whereas Spirulina appears to be blue-green. The green hue of the former algae is due to the presence of more chlorophyll in its structure than its counterpart.

Age – Spirulina has been existence much longer than Chlorella and is much larger. Its nutritional properties are much more when compared to Chlorella which is mostly known for its detoxifying abilities.

Unique properties – Chlorella has a unique growth factor that allows it to reproduce multiple times within the shortest time. The unique ability makes it ideal for cell production and nerve damage repair.

Other uses of Spirulina Powder?

Spirulina Powder is known as a supplement that introduces a lot of nutrients in the body resulting in a healthier lifestyle in the long run. However, the powder has alternative uses that can also benefit other parts of the body such the skin, nails, and hair.

Minerals such as iron that are present in Spirulina powder help in the maintenance of hair, nails, and skin. Healthy fats which are also present in the supplement reduce skin inflammation and keeps hair shiny. The best way to get better skin when using Spirulina is by applying it like a facial mask regularly.

Beautifying the skin can also be achieved by using Spirulina as it helps increase its elasticity. Apart from eliminating the dark circles under the eyes, the mask also helps in reducing wrinkles and fine lines on the face.

Side effects of Spirulina Powder?

Spirulina is a beneficial supplement that helps the body get all the nutrients it needs at once. Even so, consuming the powder can have some side effects that users should expect, thereby making it important to learn how to avoid them. Some of the common side effects of the supplement include sweating, headaches, muscle pain, insomnia and allergic reactions among others.

The first step to avoid experiencing these side effects is seeking medical advice from a professional before starting to use Spirulina Powder. Also, those suffering from autoimmune disorders, thyroid conditions, and allergies to seaweed or sea vegetables should avoid taking the powder in any form.

Conclusion

Overall, Spirulina Powder is an excellent addition to anyone’s diet regardless of your current lifestyle. The supplement has benefits that are great for the body now and in the future.