Superfood: Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that has been a staple in the health food industry for years. We add it to our Spirulina Goji Bars, but you can also find it in green smoothies, non-caffeinated lattes, encapsulated as a supplement, or all over instagram making food more colourful and trendy. (It’s perfect this time of year to add to food for a festive green hue or if you’re already proactively detoxing the holidays!)

Spirulina’s health benefits have been researched and discussed in thousands of peer-reviewed journal articles. No one can deny that it adds a brilliant pop of colour to food, but its impressive nutrient profile has also even been identified as a potential solution to global malnutrition. Aid programs have been set up in locations such as  South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo that help communities grow and harvest their own spirulina in order to bypass the high market price.

Some of the common recommended uses for spirulina in nutrition and health are for:

• Eliminating candida

• Detoxifying heavy metals

• Lowering blood pressure

• Boosting energy

• Supplementing vegan and vegetarian diets

It’s high in iron, copper, manganese, B vitamins, and protein. 1 teaspoon of  the spirulina that we use at Solfeggio contains 5 mg of iron, 7 mcg of vitamin B12, 7215 mcg of vitamin A, and 2 g of protein. As you can see, a couple of teaspoons can add significant nutrients to your diet!

If you are interested in trying it out, we always recommend buying a high quality product from reputable sources in order to avoid contaminants as well as consulting with your health care practitioner if you’re unsure if any supplement is right for you.