What is Spirulina Powder?
Our Spirulina Powder is bursting with nutrients such as proteins, minerals, and vitamins. It is one of the world’s oldest and most potent superfood that boasts Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Its concentrated nutritional value means it is a richer form of nutrients than most vegetables. Due to its high content of nutrient properties, it is an excellent supplement for vegetarians and/or vegans. Our 100% organic Spirulina Powder is sourced with respect for nature so you know you’re receiving all the benefits this alga has to offer in the best possible way. It has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance, alleviate allergy symptoms, boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, boost metabolism, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent heart disease. Studies have shown it can help to manage diabetes, help to treat anaemia, support mental health, treat chronic poisoning. Early studies of the effects of spirulina indicate that it may have anti-cancer properties and is effective in the bodies fight against the AIDS virus.
Building our Spirulina Powder into your diet is easy due to the versatility of the powder form. It can be diluted into water; added to smoothies, milkshakes or juices; included as an ingredient when baking; or sprinkled over salads or soups.
Where does Spirulina Powder come from?
Spirulina (Arthrospira Plantensis) is a blue-green alga that occurs naturally in fresh or salt water. Before harvesting, it looks like a perfect spiral coil of seaweed. It is often found in mineral-rich alkaline lakes which are often found near volcanoes. It can grow in extreme conditions so it can be cultivated in oceans and lakes all over the world. Appearing almost 3.6 billion years ago, it is one of the planets oldest inhabitants. Once it is harvested, our Spirulina Powder is processed at a very low heat which ensures all its nutrients are retained. Once it is harvested, spirulina is processed at a very low heat which ensures all its nutrients are retained. It is then ground into our Spirulina Powder which is ready to add into drinks or meals (see How to use Spirulina Powder for some great ideas on how to take spirulina, including our favourite juice recipe). Organically grown spirulina is less susceptible to contaminations of heavy metals and toxins that are often found in natural water. Our Spirulina Powder has been certified by the Irish Organic Association and the European Union organic policy so you know it is 100% organic and sourced with respect for nature.
Spirulina has been used as a food source for centuries. Use of it dates back to the 16th century when it was discovered that the Aztecs harvested it from Lake Texcoco in Mexico and used it as a daily food source due to its abundance and its high nutrition content. Centuries later historians discovered that tribes harvested it from Lake Chad in Africa. The Kanembu tribe harvested spirulina and made a dried puree to be used to bake cakes, make broths for meals, and to be sold in markets. In the 1980s, NASA proposed that it could even be grown in space for astronauts to use. However, at the moment the largest concentrations of spirulina can be found on earth in Lake Texcoco, Lake Chad, as well as the Great Rift Valley in east Africa.
Spirulina Powder Benefits
Spirulina is one of the world’s oldest and most potent natural superfoods. Here are some of its most important and well-known benefits:
- It is a powerhouse of protein packed full of potassium and other trace minerals. Spirulina is brim full of B complex vitamins as well as vitamins A, C, D, and E. Its concentrated nutritional value means it is a richer form of nutrients than most vegetables. Due to its high content of nutrient properties, it is an excellent supplement for vegetarians and/or vegans.
- It may improve muscle strength and endurance. Spirulina is regarded as an effective anti-inflammatory which can prevent oxidative damage. Muscle oxidation can often lead to injury during intensive exercise. Studies have also been shown that regular ingestion of spirulina significantly increased the time it took people to become fatigued, so it enhances endurance.
- Spirulina has been shown to alleviate allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, or a blocked nose by relieving nasal inflammation and reducing histamine in the body.
- Spirulina is known to boost and regulate the immune system including improving kidney function, liver function, and treating malnutrition. It is also an excellent supplement to take alongside* or after a course of antibiotics as it helps to restore the immune system and the ‘good’ bacteria than can often be killed by antibiotics (*always consult you GP before taking spirulina with any prescription medicine).
- Spirulina has been seen to boost the metabolism and has been recorded to make the body feel for energetic. A high metabolic rate may help to increase the number of calories burned each day therefore it can also help with weight loss and weight management. It is low-calorie, nutrient-dense supplement which means it may help weight loss without losing nutrition.
- It may help to reduce blood pressure. The theory behind this is that spirulina helps to increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule produced naturally by your body that helps your blood vessels relax and dilate.
- Regular intake of spirulina may help to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Studies have shown that spirulina has anti-atherogenic properties which help to prevent a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. These properties help to lower LDL and increase HDL cholesterol. LDL (low-density lipoproteins) are the “bad” cholesterol that cause a build-up of cholesterol in your arteries while HDL (high-density lipoproteins) are the “good” cholesterol that carry cholesterol from your body to your liver that then removes the cholesterol from your body. Spirulina has also been shown to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage (also known as lipid peroxidation) which is one of the critical steps in developing a heart disease.
- Spirulina may contribute to diabetes management. Studies have shown spirulina to be effective in controlling blood sugar levels and improving the lipid profile of those tested who has type 2 diabetes.
- It may also help with anaemia as it has shown to aid the development of the haemoglobin levels in red blood cells
- It can support mental health. Researchers have found that spirulina is a source of an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan supports the production of serotonin in the body. Serotonin plays a vital role in mental health and many people who suffer from depression and anxiety may have reduced levels of serotonin.
- Spirulina has shown antitoxic properties that have the potential to treat poisoning caused by contaminate drinking water.
- Early studies of spirulina have indicated that the organism may have anti-cancer properties as well as being remarkably active against the AIDS virus due to its increased anti-viral activity in the body.
How to use Spirulina Powder
Our Spirulina Powder is an extremely versatile supplement that can be easily incorporated into your daily diet. As with all natural foods, it is best to slowly introduce it into your diet gradually, and building up to the recommended dosage. We recommend 1 tablespoon a day is plenty to absorb all the nutrients in Spirulina.
Here are some of our favourite ways to take Spirulina Powder:
- Dilute in warm water (spirulina has a ‘green’ taste, kind of like green tea);
- Sprinkle it into meals such as salads or soups;
- Mix it into energy balls as a handy snack;
- Add it to smoothies, milkshakes, or juices;
- Use it to make our favourite Spirulina Juice! You can find the spirulina juice recipe here.
If you’re not a fan of the ‘green’ taste of Spirulina Powder why not try our Spirulina Tablets that have little to no taste but just as much nutritional value.
Spirulina Powder Nutritional Information (Per 100g)
| Energy |
309Kcal / 1294Kj |
| Protein |
56.6g |
| Carbohydrates |
11.3g |
| – of which sugars |
3.7g |
| Fat |
4.1g |
| – of which saturates |
1.3g |
| Fibre |
16.4g |
| Sodium |
0.3g |
| Vitamin E |
13mg (108% RDA*) |
| Vitamin B1 |
4.4mg (400% RDA*) |
| Riboflavin B2 |
6.9mg (493% RDA*) |
| Iron |
82.7mg (591% RDA*) |
| Calcium |
270 mg (34% RDA*) |
| Zinc |
3.3mg (33% RDA*) |
*Recommended Daily Allowance
Ingredients:
Our Spirulina Tablets contain 100% Organic Spirulina, certified by the Irish Organic Association and the European Union organic policy. It is sourced with respect for nature and is suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans.
Allergens:
- This product may contain a trace of nuts.
- Spirulina is not recommended to be consumed by anyone with phenylketonuria, or an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.
- As with all types of supplements, you should always check with your GP if you are taking prescription medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Arita –
Organic Spirulina is full of vitamins, it is great addition to the smoothie.