Spirulina, a type of algae that is harvested from freshwater sources, has been used as a food source for centuries. It is now gaining popularity in Western countries as well due to its many health benefits and low cost. In this article, I will answer some common questions about spirulina use and give you advice on how to get started with it!
What is spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae, it’s also called ‘blue-green algae’. Spirulina is one of the most popular food supplements for people all over the world. It has been eaten by humans and animals in many parts of Africa and Asia as part of their traditional diet since ancient times.
The earliest known use goes back to the Aztec culture in Mexico, they believed that eating spirulina would increase strength and endurance during military campaigns.
In recent years scientists have made some amazing discoveries about this tiny plant and the popularity of spirulina is on the rise.
What is the taste of spirulina?
Spirulina has a taste that is hard to describe. It’s not really fishy or salty, it’s more like the green smell of new growth in your garden but without any dirtiness.
If you are used to eating other types of algae then spirulina might be an acquired taste for you and if so, we recommend that you start with a small dose.
Some people find the taste to be pleasant and others don’t like it at all, so we recommend that you try spirulina before buying big quantities of this type of algae.
Spirulina is sold as tablets or powder in most health food stores, but more on that later.
Spirulina benefits
Spirulina has a lot of different benefits.
For example, it is a rich source of protein and has all the amino acids necessary to create muscle mass. It also contains iron which helps your muscles contract while you work out. Spirulina can help with weight loss by increasing metabolism and reducing appetite.
It’s not just for athletes though! Healthy adults who want to live longer should increase their protein intake so that they can maintain muscle mass.
Spirulina also provides anti-oxidants, B vitamins, and dietary fiber which are essential for a healthy lifestyle as well as good hair growth.
How to include spirulina into your diet?
Spirulina is being sold in different forms these days. It is available in powder form, tablets, and capsules that you can take orally, as well as spirulina ready-to-eat cereal bars and packaged meals which are advertised to be a quick solution for vegetarians and vegans who need more protein.
The easiest way to include spirulina into your diet is by incorporating it into a smoothie or juice.
How to use spirulina powder
If you want to use spirulina powder, you can use these methods:
- Include it in your smoothie
Be careful of 2 important things. One – do not add too much, it will highly affect the taste. Two – it may not go well with all of the smoothie recipes.
- Mix it into a drink
Including spirulina in a drink is simple. All you need to do is mix it with water or other liquids, for example, juice and milk. You can also add some fruit if you want something more refreshing – like splices of apple, oranges, or blueberries.
- Bake with it in cookies, muffins, bread, or other baked goods
You can easily add spirulina to any baked goods, for example in a cookie recipe. Yes, it will change the color of your dish a bit, but everything will taste the same.
- Add it to sauces and dressings for an added nutrition boost
Spirulina can be easily mixed with any sauces and dressings you like. You will get the healthy benefits of spirulina while enjoying a delicious dinner.
How to consume spirulina tablets
A tablet is usually a pill you swallow with water. But, for some people it can be difficult to ingest tablets without any liquid at all – just try crushing the tablet in your palm and put it into food or drink instead of swallowing them as they come.
How to take spirulina capsules
Spirulina comes in capsules that can be swallowed easily with a glass of water. Just take one per day, and add it to your routine.
You should not exceed two days without taking spirulina – you will get the best benefits from this food supplement on a daily basis.
How to make spirulina juice?
Spirulina is not usually drunk as juice. You can cook it into food, or use it in smoothies (where you will be adding other fruits and vegetables). However, if you want to make your own spirulina-based drink, it is better to use the spirulina powder and add 1 tablespoon to the juice that you made in your juicer.
How much spirulina in a day?
There is no exact amount of spirulina that you should consume every day. If you consume spirulina in your smoothies, it is better to drink it about 2 times a day.
Spirulina can be used to replace other supplements, and it will not have as strong an effect on your body if you take just a little bit per day.
If you are consuming spirulina pills or spirulina capsules, 1 to 2 a day will be enough. And If you consume spirulina powder, you should use 1 to 2 tablespoons.
How to remove the smell of spirulina?
Spirulina is known as a supplement that smells bad for some people because it is seaweed.
One of the best methods to remove the smell of spirulina is to grind it and then mix it with other ingredients like honey or peanut butter. Also, you can mix it in your smoothie or juice, and you will not feel the taste at all.
How to grow spirulina at home?
To grom spirulina, you need an aquarium or a fish tank. You should have good and clean water.
There are many different recipes you can use when growing spirulina at home.
It requires controlling the water temperature of the water and adding a few different base supplements.
Here is a great video that will help you with your goal:
Does spirulina help with weight loss?
No, spirulina does not help with weight loss. Spirulina is an alga and what it has benefits is that it can be turned into a supplement or powder which you can add to your drinks like water, juice, smoothies, etc. It contains about 290 calories for 100 grams, and usually, you will consume about 1-2 tablespoons in a day, so adding this will mean almost zero impact on how many calories you get.
Basically, your weight will be affected only by how many calories you eat and how much exercise you do, and spirulina will not affect your weight.
How to take spirulina for weight loss?
The main benefit of spirulina is that it provides a lot of protein, which contains all the essential amino acids we need for our body to function well. It also contains iron – another important mineral required by your body in order to have enough energy throughout the day.
It means that you will need to control your diet and eat fewer calories from different sources.
How much spirulina should I consume for detox?
Spirulina is great for detox because it is a natural and safe supplement that will help your body remove toxins.
Spirulina contains phytonutrients called “phycocyanin” which can be used to detox the liver, kidneys, and other organs of the body.
I hope this article answered a lot of your questions about spirulina. If you have any other questions, just let me know!
I’d be happy to help you out with anything else related to the topic. All in all, Spirulina is an amazing algae that can not only improve how we feel but also make us healthier and happier. It’s something everyone should try at least once!
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