“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”
– Hippocrates
Hippocrates is right in his quote. Sometimes all you need to improve your health is to change your eating habits. Even the ancient Aztecs and Incas knew it. They found the miracle applications of the blue-green algae – Spirulina. Today, more and more medical researchers confirm spirulina’s incredible benefits to the human body. NASA confirmed that spirulina would be the space food of the astronauts after they have found out that 1 kg of spirulina has the same nutritional values as 1000 kg of vegetables. Another interesting fact is that spirulina has the highest protein (60-70%) content of any known plant and even meat. It is also an excellent source of the vitamin B1, B2, iron, phosphorus, boron etc. The list of the benefits just goes on and on.
Nutritional facts
Spirulina contains the same Acids found in the human breast milk (Gamma-Linolenic Acid), which also makes it the perfect baby food. It contains 60 to 70 % protein by weight including all essential and non-essential amino acids. It also contains all major minerals needed for the healthy metabolism. It is full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which makes it potent alkalizer. Spirulina is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, Calcium and Iron.
In this article, I will show you some of the most famous applications of this incredible gift from nature and a smoothie recipe you can do at home.
Detox your body
Free radicals are the main cause of aging. We get our energy from the mitochondria in our muscle cells. Mitochondria is described as the powerhouse of the cells. They use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a source of energy they produce many free radicals that are damaging the tissues and therefore, causing cancer and aging. Other sources of free radicals are GMO foods and all other unhealthy foods like hamburgers, sweet beverages, white sugar etc. Spirulina contains several types of antioxidants including, Beta-carotene, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Zeaxanthin that help you reduce the free radicals in your body.
Anti-aging effect
Spirulina is an excellent source of vitamin B12, which makes it ideal for those of you who are into a vegetarian diet. It provide you with that extra nutrition you are missing from the meat products. Spirulina will help you fight the free radicals and keep your skin glowing.
Prevents cancer
Because of the high content of beta-carotene, spirulina helps you prevent cancer. You will find up to 50% of the carotenes that work as an antioxidant protection, which prevent cancer development.
Excellent protein source
Spirulina algae is the highest protein content food known to man. Our body cannot function properly without an everyday intake of quality protein. You can build muscle and strength and balance your blood sugar without protein. However, if you are consuming too much meat as a primary protein source, you are at risk of high cholesterol. Your body absorbs 100% of the spirulina powder, which means there is no waste of the nutrition.
Improves your digestion system
Spirulina promotes the healthy bacteria in your digestive system because of its high chlorophyll content. This way, it helps your body absorb nutrient from the food more effectively, while killing the bad bacteria. In this sense, you can look at spirulina as a nature’s probiotic.
Boosts the Immune system
Spirulina has powerful immune system properties. With its high vitamin content, it helps your body produce antibodies (white blood cells) that fight infections and diseases. Even a small amount of spirulina helps you balance the immune system, which ensures more metabolic energy for other body functions.
Powerful source of Iron
Iron is one of the essential minerals for your body. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and calcium and it is a lot easier to absorb than iron supplements.
Spirulina Smoothie recipe
If you want to enjoy the taste of spirulina, rather than just taking pills, you can try making a smoothie. All you need is fruits and veggies and, of course, some spirulina powder and a blender.
Here is one nice spirulina smoothie recipe.
Ingredients: 1 banana, a cup of spinach, apple juice or whole apples, chia seed, 2 tbsp of spirulina powder. Just toss everything together in the blender and pulse it until the ingredients are well mixed. You can drink the smoothie in the morning or whenever you feel hungry.
