NASA has declared this wonder food as one of the healthiest food on earth and wants its astronauts to consume this. If you are health-conscious and curious to know about the food, read on! We will take you through the health benefits of this amazing food and will explore the ways to consume it correctly.
Which is this wonder product?
The wonder product is Spirulina! Haven’t heard it before? Spirulina is blue-green algae and NASA calls it the superfood of the future! This underrated food product is extremely nutritious and is one solution to all your health problems. As it is an Algae, it grows in water.
NASA Approves Spirulina
When we as a common man want to have the best diet, how can NASA compromise on the health of its astronauts? NASA termed it as a “Space Food” owing to the fact that only a little amount of Spirulina is sufficient. It is the composition of Spirulina packed with all those edible bacteria and micro-organisms that make it one of the concentrated foods available to mankind.
Enough of the hype about Spirulina now let’s get to the facts!
10-15 Gms of Spirulina equals to almost 6-7 kg of green vegetables. You read it right! Loaded with vital nutrients and vitamins you just cannot miss these little algae from your diet. Have a look at what this will offer you :
One tablespoon (7 grams) of dried Spirulina contains:
- 4.02 Gms of Protein
- 8 Mg of Calcium
- 2 Mg of Iron
- 14 Mg of Magnesium
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 11% of the RDA
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 15% of the RDA
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): 4% of the RDA
- Copper: 21% of the RDA
- Iron: 11% of the RDA
- 8 Mg of Phosphorus
- 95 Mg of Potassium
- 73 Mg of Sodium
- 1.67 Gms of Carbohydrate
- 0.54 Gms of Fat
Some More interesting facts
- Spirulina has 6 times more protein than eggs
- 37 times more iron than spinach
- 16 times more vitamin B1 than fish
- 47 times Vitamin B2 than strawberries
No doubt Spirulina is the most nutrition dense food on earth. Taking spirulina, as part of a balanced diet, may help a person to stay well-nourished. Now, let’s understand the health benefits of Spirulina :
Health Benefits of Spirulina
1-Aids in Weight Management
The best ingredient in your diet to manage your weight. As a powerhouse of micronutrients and nutrients, this superfood is amazing when it comes to managing weight.
The results of a study suggests that spirulina may aid weight management. In the study, people who were overweight and regularly ate spirulina for 3 months showed improved body mass index or BMI.
2-Helps in lowering Cholesterol
Taking spirulina supplements may have a positive impact on blood lipids, which are fats in the blood.
In the study, spirulina was found to significantly reduce total cholesterol and lower LDL — “bad” — cholesterol while increasing HDL — “good” — cholesterol.
3-Boosting Metabolism
Spirulina has a massive impact on a person’s metabolism. You feel more energy and the food will be easily digested in the body.
In a small-scale 2014 study, people who took 6 g of spirulina a day experienced beneficial metabolic effects, alongside weight loss and better health-related quality of life.
How can you consume Spirulina in your diet?
Spirulina is widely available all around the globe. The easiest way is to have it as a capsule or a tablet. You can also mix the powder in your smoothies, milkshakes, on the top of your salad, fruits, etc. In whichever form you take, around 1-3 gms of Spirulina is sufficient. Although, it varies according to your physical work. The best time to take Spirulina is the morning or evening. Avoid taking it in the night, as it boosts your energy levels and you will face difficulty in sleeping.
Side Effects of Spirulina
Excessive use of everything is bad. If you consume this in excess or intake the contaminated algae, it can cause more harm than good. Also, if you are allergic to seafood, sea vegetables and seaweed, avoid Spirulina. In addition, if you have stone or any kidney-related issues, avoid it. Always consult your physician before you make any changes in your diet.
Conclusion
In this fast-paced world where we have little time to take care of our health, Spirulina comes to the rescue. It is a wonder food you should add to your diet. It is not only nourishing but boosts energy, removes toxins from the body and is super easy to digest.
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Have any other wonder food you wish to share with others? Share with us in the comment section.