SPIRULINA, THE GREEN SUPERFOOD FROM THE WATER
THE GREEN SUPERFOOD FROM THE WATER: SPIRULINA
Along with insects and mushrooms spirulina has been pointed to be a food of the future.
But what is made of this “miraculous” green powder? Is it made of algae? Sea plants? How do they grow it? Is it really good for the health? Let’s find it together!
Spirulina is the commercial name of the powdered form of two species of cyanobacteria: Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. Cyanobateria, also wrongly known as blue algae, are the most ancient class of photosynthetic organism still living. They can be found in a huge variety of ecosystems all around the globe. They often aggregate in colonies that can have multiple shapes.
The consumption of this food is more ancient than it seems. The Aztecs called spirulina tecuitlatl and that would harvest it from lake Texcoco and then sell it in the markets shared as a cake.
Populations living around lake Chad consume spirulna as a staple food since the neolithic era.
From the nutritional point of view dried spirulina has astonishing protein content (around 65%) and is a source of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. In spirulina powder contains really high contents of group B vitamins (except for B12), vitamin E and K. With 28.5mg of iron every 100g of product spirulina is one of the best dietary supplements for treating anemia and iron deficiencies.
Scientists are investigating on the medical benefits of spirulina, specially linked to the enhancement of the immune response and the treatment of conditions like diabetes and HIV.
You can enjoy spirulina in many ways. Add the powder to your smoothies and shakes or mix it in your oatmeal or yogurt. If you feel creative you can also create your own recipes!
The spirulina powder and the products enriched with it that Future Food Shop sells are 100% safe and produced under EFSA standards.