Anna Maria Richards
61% of Americans say they gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not hard to figure out why. During the dark days of the crisis, Americans ate more and drank more.
There was little else to do.
Now, as life returns to normal, you’re probably ready to drop those pandemic pounds as you get back out in public. Do you know spirulina benefits your health and boosts your weight loss?
If you don’t, check out these top reasons why you should include spirulina in your diet.
What is Spirulina?
Blue spirulina is blue-green algae that are a health supplement. It grows in freshwater, and producers grow and cultivate it in man-made pools.
It’s most commonly sold in powder or tablet form and is an ingredient in some health foods like protein powder.
When in powder form, people often use it as an ingredient boost for their smoothies. Sometimes they mix it with fruit juice or a simple glass of water.
1. Spirulina is a Nutrient Dense Food
Blue spirulina contains so many healthy goodies. It has high levels of nutrients like calcium, potassium, B vitamins, and iron. One tablespoon of spirulina powder also includes:
- 15% of your recommended intake of riboflavin (B2)
- 11% of your daily thiamin (B1)
- 4 grams of protein
- 4% of your daily niacin (B3)
- 21% of your daily iron intake
You get all that from one tablespoon dissolved in your beverage or smoothie. On top of that, you receive a healthy dose of magnesium and potassium. Both of these minerals help your body burn calories.
Loading your diet with healthy vitamins and nutrients will not only improve health but make you feel better. You’ll suffer from less lethargy, and you’ll be better able to deal with stress.
2. Antioxidant-Rich
Antioxidants are a vital part of a healthy diet because of their cancer prevention properties. They prevent the free-radical damage to our cells that contribute to cancer growth.
There are many foods you eat that are full of these antioxidants. Blueberries, tomatoes, kale, and legumes are all foods loaded with antioxidants that may already be part of your diet.
Why, then, should you include spirulina? For one, there’s nothing wrong with adding more antioxidants to your diet.
Also, spirulina contains a unique antioxidant not found in other foods. Phycocyanin, an antioxidant exclusive to spirulina, carries anti-inflammatory properties.
Phycocyanin helps your body recover from workouts and keeps other aches and pains at a minimum.
3. Regulates Blood Sugar
As you grow older, and especially if you’ve put weight on, you have to pay more attention to your blood sugar levels. Over one in ten Americans have diabetes, and 88 million more are pre-diabetic.
Diabetes is an epidemic, and it can shorten your life. Diabetes increases your risk of kidney failure, heart disease, neuropathy, and stroke. The condition also reduces your quality of life.
Who wants to prick their fingers several times a day or shoot themselves with insulin?
Spirulina improves health by regulating your blood sugar. Studies show that daily consumption lowers blood sugar levels and your HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a long-term measurement of blood sugar.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension has severe health consequences. Chronic hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks, and dementia.
Elevated blood pressure also causes erectile dysfunction, kidney failure, and optic nerve damage.
A diet that includes spirulina regulates your blood pressure. The anti-inflammatory phycocyanin increases blood flow by producing a gas that widens your blood vessels.
5. Spikes Metabolism
High metabolism is jealousy-inducing. It’s hard to watch a friend or a loved one eat half a pizza and not gain a single pound, especially if you’re busting your buns trying to shed weight.
Boosting your metabolism is a weight loss key, and spirulina can help you do it. Spirulina contains high levels of vitamin B, and that’s known to be a metabolism booster.
You’re eating right, and you’re exercising. Make your effort stick by increasing your metabolism, and help the pounds melt and stay off.
6. Boosts Muscle Mass
The antioxidants in spirulina help prevent cancer, and they benefit your workout! When you consume it before a workout, you’ll burn more fat. That’s what you want!
There is no downside to exercise. Doing it improves your mental and physical health, but you want a noticeable payoff. Spirulina can get your body beach-worthy!
Its anti-inflammatory properties prevent muscle fatigue. That means you can push harder and build more muscle. It also helps increase your endurance during cardio workouts by improving blood flow.
Find out more about how blue spirulina will improve your workouts.
7. Detoxification
One way people look to improve health and kickstart a healthy lifestyle is by performing a detox. They’ll spend a month on a regimented raw food diet and eschew alcohol.
Detoxes are a good idea. Unfortunately, a lot of what we consume contains harmful chemicals. Even foods perceived as healthy, like seafood, contain high mercury levels.
Detoxing doesn’t have to be an event. Spirulina is high in proteins and peptides that perform a natural detox. One tablespoon a day helps eliminate harmful toxins from your system.
Spirulina Benefits Your Overall Health
Now that the world rapidly returns to normal, you’re ready to get out on the town. After a year of sweatpants and take-out, you find your clothes don’t fit. You are prepared to reembrace a healthy lifestyle.
As you improve your diet and hit the gym to lose those pandemic pounds, consider how spirulina benefits your endeavor. A simple tablespoon a day boosts your health and your workouts.
Do you need more health tips? Check out the rest of our page for the latest news and notes.
