Instagram fads are the order of the day, especially with the number of fitness personalities and nutrition professionals contributing information via this social network. Among these “little tips” is the regular consumption of spirulina smoothies, a seaweed famous for being rich in protein, vitamins and even minerals, a dietary supplement based on cyanobacteria (algae).
In addition to this, this wonderful algae has a satiating effect, so if you are on a diet, it’s time to join spirulina smoothie in your list of must-have foods. Due to its nutritional content, other people who get their hands on this drink are athletes, especially for the minerals it contains, both macro and micronutrients, amino acids, lipids and a host of beneficial properties.
Below we will give vital information to understand not only its origin, but also its consumption and the precautions to take when ingesting it, because like everything good that nature offers, there is also a not so pleasant side.
To begin with, what is spirulina?
Surely you will be curious about those
green smoothies
that are not similar to those made from green vegetables, fruits and other foods rich in chlorophyll. These smoothies are particularly easy to prepare and only require mixing water or vegetable milk with a green powder called spirulina.
The latter is just one of the many edible algae on the planet, characterized by being of the unicellular type and direct family of the amarantáceas. It is cultivated as a vegetable, as its leaves are edible and rich in chlorophyll.
Best of all, you don’t have to just buy it in powdered form to be able to consume it in your morning smoothie. There is the possibility of eating it fresh, cooked and if it is too risky, fried. It should be noted that you can make salads or use it to make rolls.
If you are worried about not knowing when you can enjoy it, don’t worry, as spirulina is grown all year round, but this doesn’t stop there being winter and summer varieties, or that it is grown as a vegetable in certain parts of the world.
Benefits of drinking a spirulina smoothie
All the data provided from this point are part of research and reports of the Group of supplements of the Vocalía of Food of the COF of Barcelona. Here are all the benefits of drinking a spirulina smoothie.
Protein supplement
Just as the subtitle says, a spirulina smoothie is rich in protein, containing 65% more than what can be found in animal meats such as chicken, beef or other delicacies. However, please note that at no time should you substitute food for this product, and instead you can add it to your daily diet.
It’s a digestive smoothie
Spirulina does not contain cellulose, a compound that slows digestion. Therefore, being scarce, it favors the digestive process, even in people who have intestinal problems or suffer from constipation.
Provides healthy lipids
If you need to integrate essential fatty acids into your life, we recommend that you include a spirulina smoothie in your diet, as it is a safe source of this compound.
Good for bone development
If you need to increase your calcium levels don’t worry, as this is possible with spirulina smoothie. In general, patients with bone problems should consume this drink, whose advantage is that it provides another series of important minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron and phosphorus.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power
Spirulina smoothies contain a high amount of vitamins, so they have an unparalleled antioxidant power. In case you didn’t know, with such a shake you are ingesting vitamin E and several B vitamins.
However, keep in mind that the vitamin B12 in kelp is not bioavailable to humans, preventing it from being a vegan substitute. It should also be noted that the amount of pigments it possesses makes it a weapon to prevent and overcome inflammatory problems.
Spirulina Smoothie Contraindications
There is always a fraction of the population that cannot take advantage of the goodness that nature brings. The same applies to spirulina smoothie, a drink that should not be consumed by people who are at risk of bleeding and take medication for it.
Pregnant women, nursing children as well as people with autoimmune diseases, liver disease, among others, should not under any circumstances consume spirulina smoothie.
It is worth mentioning that no matter how recommended and approved by the experts that spirulina is, it should not be taken as the only food and instead it is advisable to integrate it as one more part of the diet.
