This seaweed should not be mixed with dairy products
Spirulina is a trendy superfood that includes many nutrients. It contains essential amino acids, increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood and is beneficial for the circulatory system as a whole.
Spirulina can be added to green smoothies or blended with water, lemon, and honey. After the use of healing microalgae, the appearance, condition of the skin, nails and hair improves.
What is spirulina
Spirulina is a microalgae that appeared on Earth about 3.5 billion years ago. It has a blue-green color and a spiral shape, thanks to which it got its name. Many people mistakenly think of spirulina as a seaweed, but it is freshwater. True, it does not grow everywhere: it needs an alkaline environment and a special microclimate.
Superfoods: what are they and why are they needed
Today, there are only three lakes in the world in which spirulina grows in natural conditions without any human help, that is, it is not fed or fertilized. They are located in China. But after they started talking about the benefits of spirulina, in many countries they began to grow it on farms, artificially creating the necessary environment. There is a similar factory in Kharkov.
Spirulina: composition and health benefits
Spirulina is good for anemia
Spirulina is considered not just an algae, but half a bacterium. This means that this product contains a lot of easily digestible protein, essential amino acids that are not produced in the body, and animal vitamins (B2, B6, B12, etc.). That is why it is recommended for vegetarians. Spirulina is also recommended to be included in the diet of pregnant women and children with low hemoglobin, because it is one of the best sources of iron! For this reason, superfood helps in the treatment of anemia.
Spirulina is a salvation for those with a sweet tooth: by saturating the body with iron and other trace elements, it helps to overcome cravings for sweets and starchy foods. Algae gives a fantastic effect on hair loss: after just a month of taking the curls become thicker, and their growth accelerates. With regular use, it also improves memory and vision, normalizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels. And superfood boosts immunity and helps to survive the autumn-spring hypovitaminosis no worse than vitamin complexes.
Spirulina: who is contraindicated
First of all, those who have any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage: gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, etc. If you use superfood when you are sick, you may experience severe pain in the stomach. It is not recommended to include it in the diet if you suffer from chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Individual intolerance also occurs: then the taste and smell of spirulina starts to make you sick.
Spirulina tablets or powder
Spirulina comes in tablets and powder.
It is better to choose a powder, because it is not known how the tablet preparation was made. But keep in mind: it has a specific fishy smell and taste. If you do not tolerate it, you will have to opt for tablets or try to “disguise” the powder in other foods – for example, in fresh juice or salad.
When buying a superfood powder, pay special attention to organicity: the packaging should contain the standard designations of a certified product – the organic badge (green leaf) and the euro (asterisks). This is incredibly important! Indeed, some algae can be fed with bird droppings and various harmful additives, and such spirulina becomes toxic. The price of a quality powder is about 200 UAH per pack.
Spirulina – rules of use
Spirulina is not a drug, so you can “prescribe” it yourself. A safe daily dose of powder is 4 g (1 tsp) for preventive purposes, 8 g (2 tsp) for therapeutic purposes. Do not exceed the dosage: pain in the stomach and intestines, nausea, tachycardia and irritability may occur. To see the result, superfood must be taken for at least a month. Then you need to take a break for 2-3 weeks and you can again include spirulina in the menu. With such cycles, algae can be taken on an ongoing basis. But if suddenly one day you feel disgust, which was not there before, pause: the body tells you that you have already had enough
For it to be useful, it is important to adhere to several rules. Firstly, it is not necessary to give it heat treatment: this kills all the healing properties. Secondly, do not combine seaweed with dairy products: they block the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, if you take this superfood in the morning, leave the milk for the afternoon. It is best to consume spirulina with fresh vegetables or fruits, juice or smoothie shake.
Spirulina: intake options
Spirulina can be added to smoothies. Spirulina is best taken on an empty stomach. Then the blood is “hungry”, and all useful substances are well absorbed. Mix the powder with warm water (40°C), let it brew for 7-10 minutes. During this time, fermentation will occur and the algae will “come to life”. You drink a “drink” – and after half an hour you can have breakfast. Taking superfood in the morning is also good because spirulina has an excellent property to tone up the body, slightly invigorate and energize for the whole day. With her, the morning will definitely be cheerful.
Spirulina cocktail
If you can’t stand the smell and taste of spirulina, make a smoothie shake.
Cooking time:
15 minutes
Ingredients for 1 serving:
- Spinach leaves – 50 g
- Banana – 1 pc.
- Apple – 1 pc.
- Flax seeds – 2 tbsp. l.
- Honey – 1 tsp
- Water – 200 ml
- Spirulina – 1 tsp
- Cooking method:
Wash the spinach leaves and peel the fruit. Put everything in a blender, fill with water, beat until a homogeneous mass is formed. Such a smoothie cocktail can replace breakfast or become a useful addition to it.
Ice cream with spirulina
Cooking time:
30 minutes
Ingredients:
- Banana – 2 pcs.
- Avocado – 1 pc.
- Mango – half
- Cocoa – 1 tbsp. l.
- Spirulina – 1 tsp
- Cooking method:
Put the banana in the freezer for half an hour. Then peel it from the skin and cut into small circles. Peel mango and avocado, cut into pieces. Put all the fruits in a blender, add cocoa, spirulina. Whisk. Pour the mixture into a mold and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. Thanks to cocoa, the taste of spirulina will not be felt.
Recall that earlier we talked about how to take goji berries. “Today” also wrote about the beneficial properties of chia seeds.