Spirulina is often referred to as a superfood. What exactly is spirulina? Is spirulina really efficacious and has clinically tested health benefits? Before deciding to consume spirulina, check out some of the following information and facts.
It’s a species of cyanobacteria, a green-bluish-bean-sided algae plant, that humans can consume. Spirulina grows in tropical and subtropical waters that have a high salt content. Some species also grow in different environments like freshwater lakes.
If processed, spirulina can be made or mixed into dietary supplements, cosmetics, milk, fruit juices, powder drinks, and even food for astronauts while in space. That is because there’s a presumption that says that any food or drink that’s mixed with spirulina will become more healthy.
Spirulina can overcome various diseases. Its protein content which is said to be higher than meat can also fulfill your daily nutrition and keep your body healthy, while also giving the beauty benefits of spirulina.
You may have heard that spirulina can overcome various conditions, such as stress, malnutrition, excessive weight, allergies, fatigue, diabetes, precancerous wounds in the mouth, improve the immune system as well as memory, lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, smooth digestion, and so on.
Then, is that really the statement? Are there other proven health facts for spirulina?
Medically, the condition is considered to have a positive impact as a result of the use of spirulina, which is treating precancerous wounds in the mouth. Even though it seems promising, its status is still sitting at “likely effective”, which means further research is needed.
In spirulina itself there is a protein content that has been considered very quality and it’s also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
Spirulina is also one of the most nutritious food sources and has been proven for its pregnancy benefits. Aside from understanding the spirulina benefits for health & beauty, for detailed information for you, here are some benefits of spirulina for pregnant women:
1. Helps Fetal Growth
Spirulina itself is an herb rich in nutrients. So spirulina can not only be used as a complement to health and beauty products of the skin but also can be used for pregnant women in order to support the growth of their baby.
This way the growth of the fetus will be maximized. Consuming it regularly from the first trimester to the third trimester of pregnancy will also be highly recommended. However, you can also find similar benefits in health benefits of chocolate as well.
2. Overcoming the Problem of Anemia
Anemia is a troubling health problem. While having Anemia, a person can feel their body easily tired, dizziness, and many other disturbances. If not treated correctly, anemia can make a higher risk of getting serious health problems. Fortunately, you can overcome this with the help of spirulina.
Aside from the benefits of turkey berry, Spirulina also includes an ingredient containing iron, chlorophyll and folic acid where the content is needed by pregnant women in preventing and overcoming anemia that is often suffered by them.
3. Rich in Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium and magnesium content will also be found in spirulina so that this will be able to make pregnant women avoid bone and tooth problems during pregnancy. With the content in spirulina, dental health problems such as bleeding gums and dry mouth will be resolved properly.
4. Reduces the Risk of Miscarriage and Prevents Babies from being Born with Disabilities
In spirulina there’s vitamin B12 and vitamin E where this content is believed to reduce the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women. It also contains vitamin B12 and folic acid content that is no less important for pregnant women to prevent the birth of a deformed baby.
5. Increases Metabolism
The benefits of consuming spirulina can help increase the body’s metabolism. Higher metabolic rates can make a person feel as if they have more energy.
The benefits of spirulina can also increase the number of calories burned each day, which can help lose weight. In a small-scale 2014 study, people who took 6 g of spirulina a day experienced beneficial metabolic effects, along with weight loss and quality of life associated with better health.
The people in this study had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and therefore more research was needed to see if spirulina could increase metabolism in others without this condition.
With metabolism increased, pregnant women can feel stronger to face their daily routines. They can also be more protected from various diseases that are dangerous for themselves and their baby.
6. Prevents Cholesterol
What are the possible dangers that can occur when cholesterol is too high in pregnant women? High cholesterol levels in pregnant women can lead to induced hypertension in pregnancy.
At a severe rate, the disorder can cause disruption to the lives of the baby and the mother. Low cholesterol can also lead to premature birth and low birth weight.
Another danger of high cholesterol in pregnant women is the impact of derivatives on the fetus, either while in the womb or later in life. Children whose mothers have high cholesterol levels before becoming pregnant are more likely to have hypertensive disorders when they grow up.
That’s why it’s important to keep cholesterol under control, one of many ways to do it is by consuming spirulina. Consuming spirulina can help lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is an unhealthy fat in the blood, which is one of the causes of heart disease.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 2016 suggests that taking spirulina supplements may have a positive impact on blood lipids, which are fats in the blood.
In the study, the benefits of spirulina were found to significantly reduce total cholesterol and lower LDL (bad cholesterol) – while increasing HDL (good cholesterol).
A 2013 study also found that consuming 1 gram of spirulina daily for 3 months can reduce total cholesterol. You can also use another alternative ingredient like health benefits of Nigerian ogbono for achieving optimum results.