If you’re looking to kick your protein shake up a notch, Spirulina is a front-runner. This powerful superfood ingredient contains an abundance of nutrients. It could very well add what’s been missing from your protein shake all along. Let’s take a quick peek at what spirulina is and where it comes from. Grown and harvested in ponds and other bodies of water, this natural blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) boasts an extraordinary nutrient-rich profile of chlorophyll, antioxidants, B-vitamins, K-vitamins, iron, manganese, chromium, GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), essential amino acids, and protein. The location and manner in which spirulina is grown and harvested are extremely important as contaminated bodies of water can, unfortunately, produce a less than ideal, if not toxic, product. Sunfood spirulina is grown in an isolated environment in Costa Rica, free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other health-damaging contaminants.

So let’s jump into specifically why adding spirulina powder can take your protein shake to the next level. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we should do we forget why we’re actually doing it, and this rings true to our beloved protein shakes. Our first rationale is the obvious “I need the protein for XYZ reason”, but it’s more than that. We need to ensure that our shakes are nutrient balanced with our dietary needs, and knowing not only what we’re putting in our blended drinks but why is extremely important. Education is key!c So here are some stand-out benefits to adding spirulina to your daily protein shake.

It has Protein

The protein and essential amino acid profile density are prevalent in spirulina that a 3-gram serving provides a powerful punch of up to 71%. This can be ideal for vegetarians, vegans and or anyone looking to boost their protein intake for intense athletic training.

Heavy Metal Detox

Spirulina has special properties that can help our bodies to detox heavy metals, which we sadly come consume (accidentally) much more than we realize.

Inflammation and Immunity

Studies have shown adding spirulina to your diet may help to reduce inflammation and improve the immune response. We can think of so many reasons this fact alone is beneficial -- from someone who suffers from chronic inflammation due to an autoimmune to the avid athlete who requires enhanced recovery time from their workouts.

Blood Sugar

According to a study performed in India by the University of Baroda, supplementing with spirulina showed significant improvement of blood sugar and lipid profiles in patients with type-2 diabetes when consumed over a two-month period. Supplement users also showcased lowered triglyceride serum levels. This reveals a tremendous benefit to those who deal with blood sugar and cholesterol concerns.

Some Helpful Tips When Taking Spirulina

Spirulina is an algae, after all, so the taste may or may not be to your liking. As it is also a detoxifier, it can also present some detox symptoms when you’re first starting out. We say to start slow and easy. This is why spirulina powders are ideal...you can adjust the amount you add to your protein shake or smoothie to your desired taste and benefit. However, if you can’t get past the taste of it, you can take it in a tablet form with your protein shake.

Spirulina Crunchies	Spirulina & Chlorella	Supergreens & Protein

Sources

Sunfood's "Natural Solutions" does not promote or suggest natural cures, natural healing or natural remedies for any disease, disorder or ailment thereof. This information should be treated as educational material gathered and discovered from various studies, clinical trials, and customer reviews. It is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and independent conclusions in regards to natural products and alternative health choices. It is best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before attempting any form of natural cure, natural healing or natural remedy to any health issues.