Big Food - Spirulina - 500g / 1000 tablets (500mg)

What is Big Food Spirulina?

Big Food Spirulina is a dietary supplement in tablet form that contains spirulina, a planktonic, blue-green alga that provides food and oxygen for various aquatic life. It has been a part of the human diet since being discovered by the Aztecs centuries ago. Because of the unique and expansive nutritional profile, the World Health Organization considers Spirulina among the most nutrient-dense superfoods on the planet!

The vast array of nutrients packed into this super-green alga are a complete protein, antioxidants phycocyanin and carotenoids, iron, copper, and other minerals.

Benefits of Big Food Spirulina:

• Sourced from Organic farming
• Natural & No Added Ingredients
• Dried in a low temperature
• Naturally contains proteins, minerals and vitamins
• Can be a helpful dietary supplement for athletic people
• Can help maintain the immune system

Why take Big Food Organic Spirulina

Big Food Spirulina is organic and 100% natural without any added ingredients. This powerful blue-green alga was delicately ground into a fine powder and made into a tablet that best protects the nutritional profile. Here are some of the nutrients that you can get when you take spirulina:

Protein

Spirulina comprises 55-65% of complete protein, and for some studies, up until 71%. This makes it one of only a few plant-based sources of complete protein that provides all nine essential amino acids, which is three times greater than soybean protein (Source: Research Gate).

Phycocyanin

The blue streak in spirulina comes from the pigment phycocyanin. This is a deep blue pigment that assists algae in photosynthesis by trapping light. In fact, this antioxidant compound is one of the main components of spirulina! (Source: Examine) The healthful compound has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. And early studies have shown that it can provide protection to the liver and kidneys (Source: NCBI)

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a particular class of plant compounds with potent antioxidative effects on the body. Spirulina contains source several of these, including zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and chlorophyll (Source: Pubmed). These compounds collectively scavenge and quench harmful reactive molecules that accumulate in the body and cause damage.

One study showed that the carotenoids in spirulina were much more bioavailable than those in spinach (Source: Pubmed)

Iron

Spirulina is naturally rich in iron, which has been shown to contain a relatively high bioavailability than other plant-based sources (Source: Science Direct). Iron is a mineral that is incorporated into hemoglobin, the oxygen-transport cells of our body. It is essential for the efficient delivery of oxygen to all tissues and, thus, energy production.

In one study, iron supplementation improved hemoglobin oxygen saturation and immune function in older adults with a history of iron deficiency (anemia) (Source: NCBI).

Minerals

Each tablet provides a healthy dose of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese. These are all essential cofactors in over 300 chemical reactions in the body and contribute to maintaining the nervous system and cardiovascular health (Source: Live Science)

From the Aztecs to the stars!

Here's a fun fact about Spirulina: Humans have used it for thousands of years now, starting from the Aztecs in the 1500s. And until now, it's being used and has been promoted as "The Food for the Future." It is being used in clinical studies and is regarded for its various health benefits.

NASA successfully used Spirulina as a dietary supplement for astronauts on a space mission, being one of the dietary supplements to literally be brought to see the stars (Source: NCBI)!

Key health aspects of Big Food Spirulina

There are several types of algae, but Spirulina is one of the most studied and seen as a potential supplement to help combat malnutrition because of its rich nutrient profile. Here are some of the health benefits of Spirulina based on scientific studies:

Good for the gut

One study mentioned that spirulina helps increase healthy lactobacillus in the intestine (Source: Research Gate). While a trial study in mice showed that it can help regulate gut bacteria and increase its number. The study suggested that it can be a functional food to help regulate gut microbiota in obese patients (Source: MDPI).

Good for the heart

One study tested the lipid-lowering effects of Spirulina where 78 adults, aged 60 years old and 87 were given 8 g of Spirulina daily for 16 weeks. At the end of the study, there was a significant decrease in cholesterol among the study participants. The study suggested that Spirulina can be suitable functional food for healthy, elderly males and females (Source: Pubmed).

Anti-inflammatory properties

Spirulina contains anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies use Spirulina to help relieve allergies and rhinitis. In a study in Turkey, they used Spirulina to help reduce allergic rhinitis, including nasal discharge, sneezing, itching and congestion (Source: Research Gate)

May help with muscle fatigue

Based on the study published by the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, nine male recreational runners were given Spirulina daily for four weeks. The results showed that Spirulina can potentially help athletes recover from muscle fatigue. This is because it contains several antioxidants such as phenolic compounds, phycocyanins, tocopherols, and beta-carotene (Source: Live Science).