10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

Written by Joe Leech, MS on October 5, 2018

Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements.

It is loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants that may benefit your body and brain.

Here are 10 evidence-based health benefits of spirulina.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page,
we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 1/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

1. Spirulina Is Extremely High in Many Nutrients

Spirulina is an organism that grows in both fresh and salt water.

It is a type of cyanobacteria, which is a family of single-celled microbes that are often referred to
as blue-green algae.

Just like plants, cyanobacteria can produce energy from sunlight via a process called
photosynthesis.

Spirulina was consumed by the ancient Aztecs but became popular again when NASA proposed
that it could be grown in space for use by astronauts (1).

A standard daily dose of spirulina is 1–3 grams, but doses of up to 10 grams per day have been
used effectively.

This tiny alga is packed with nutrients. A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder
contains (2):

Protein: 4 grams
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 11% of the RDA

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 15% of the RDA

Vitamin B3 (niacin): 4% of the RDA

Copper: 21% of the RDA

Iron: 11% of the RDA

It also contains decent amounts of magnesium, potassium and manganese and small
amounts of almost every other nutrient that you need.

In addition, the same amount holds only 20 calories and 1.7 grams of digestible carbs.

Gram for gram, spirulina may be the single most nutritious food on the planet.

A tablespoon (7 grams) of spirulina provides a small amount of fat — around 1 gram —

including both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in an approximately 1.5–1.0 ratio.

The quality of the protein in spirulina is considered excellent — comparable to eggs. It gives all
the essential amino acids that you need.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 2/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

It is often claimed that spirulina contains vitamin B12, but this is false. It has pseudovitamin B12,
which has not been shown to be effective in humans (3, 4).

SUMMARY
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both salt and fresh water. It may be
one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth.

2. Powerful Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Oxidative damage can harm your DNA and cells.

This damage can drive chronic inflammation, which contributes to cancer and other diseases
(5).

Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage.

Its main active component is called phycocyanin. This antioxidant substance also gives spirulina
its unique blue-green color.

Phycocyanin can fight free radicals and inhibit production of inflammatory signaling molecules,
providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (6, 7, 8).

SUMMARY
Phycocyanin is the main active compound in spirulina. It has powerful antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 3/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

3. Can Lower “Bad” LDL and Triglyceride Levels

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death.

Many risk factors are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

As it turns out, spirulina positively impacts many of these factors. For example, it can lower total
cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising “good” HDL cholesterol.

In a study in 25 people with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina per day significantly improved
these markers (9).

Another study in people with high cholesterol determined that 1 gram of spirulina per day
lowered triglycerides by 16.3% and “bad” LDL by 10.1% (10).

Several other studies have found favorable effects — though with higher doses of 4.5–8 grams
per day (11, 12).

SUMMARY
Studies indicate that spirulina can lower triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol and
may simultaneously raise “good” HDL cholesterol.

4. Protects “Bad” LDL Cholesterol From Oxidation

Fatty structures in your body are susceptible to oxidative damage.

This is known as lipid peroxidation, a key driver of many serious diseases (13, 14).

For example, one of the key steps in the development of heart disease is the oxidation of “bad”
LDL cholesterol (15).

Interestingly, the antioxidants in spirulina appear to be particularly effective at reducing lipid

peroxidation in both humans and animals (16, 17).

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 4/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

In a study in 37 people with type 2 diabetes, 8 grams of spirulina per day significantly reduced
markers of oxidative damage. It also increased levels of antioxidant enzymes in the blood (18).

SUMMARY
Fatty structures in your body can become oxidized, driving the progression of many
diseases. The antioxidants in spirulina can help prevent this.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 5/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

Take our free 3-question diet quiz

HEALTHLINE QUIZ Our free assessment ranks the best diets for you based on your answers
to 3 quick questions.

FIND YOUR DIETS

5. May Have Anti-Cancer Properties

Some evidence suggests that spirulina has anti-cancer properties.

Research in animals indicates that it can reduce cancer occurrence and tumor size (19, 20).

Spirulina’s effects on oral cancer — or cancer of the mouth — have been particularly well
studied.

One study examined 87 people from India with precancerous lesions — called oral submucous
fibrosis (OSMF) — in the mouth.

Among those who took 1 gram of spirulina per day for one year, 45% saw their lesions
disappear — compared to only 7% in the control group (21).

When these people stopped taking spirulina, almost half of them redeveloped lesions in the
following year.

In another study of 40 individuals with OSMF lesions, 1 gram of spirulina per day led to greater
improvement in OSMF symptoms than the drug Pentoxyfilline (22).

SUMMARY
Spirulina may have anti-cancer properties and appears especially effective against a
type of precancerous lesion of the mouth called OSMF.

6. May Reduce Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a main driver of many serious diseases, including heart attacks, strokes
and chronic kidney disease.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 6/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

While 1 gram of spirulina is ineffective, a dose of 4.5 grams per day has been shown to reduce
blood pressure in individuals with normal levels (10, 11).

This reduction is thought to be driven by an increased production of nitric oxide, a signaling

molecule that helps your blood vessels relax and dilate (23).

SUMMARY
A higher dose of spirulina may lead to lower blood pressure levels, a major risk factor
for many diseases.

7. Improves Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by inflammation in your nasal passageways.

It is triggered by environmental allergens, such as pollen, animal hair or even wheat dust.

Spirulina is a popular alternative treatment for symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and there is
evidence that it can be effective (24).

In one study in 127 people with allergic rhinitis, 2 grams per day dramatically reduced symptoms
like nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and itching (25).

SUMMARY

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 7/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina supplements are very effective against allergic rhinitis, reducing various
symptoms.

8. May Be Effective Against Anemia

There are many different forms of anemia.

The most common one is characterized by a reduction in hemoglobin or red blood cells in your
blood.

Anemia is fairly common in older adults, leading to prolonged feelings of weakness

and fatigue (26).

In a study in 40 older people with a history of anemia, spirulina supplements increased the
hemoglobin content of red blood cells and improved immune function (27).

Keep in mind that this is just one study. More research is needed before any recommendations
can be made.

SUMMARY
One study suggests that spirulina can reduce anemia in older adults, though more
research is needed.

9. May Improve Muscle Strength and Endurance

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 8/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

Exercise-induced oxidative damage is a major contributor to muscle fatigue.

Certain plant foods have antioxidant properties that can help athletes and physically active
individuals minimize this damage.

Spirulina appears beneficial, as some studies pointed to improved muscle strength and
endurance.

In two studies, spirulina enhanced endurance, significantly increasing the time it took for people
to become fatigued (28, 29).

SUMMARY
Spirulina may provide multiple exercise benefits, including enhanced endurance and
increased muscle strength.

10. May Aid Blood Sugar Control

Animal studies link spirulina to significantly lower blood sugar levels.

In some cases, it has outperformed popular diabetes drugs, including Metformin (30, 31, 32).

There is also some evidence that spirulina can be effective in humans.

In a two-month study in 25 people with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina per day led to an
impressive reduction in blood sugar levels (9).

HbA1c, a marker for long-term blood sugar levels, decreased from 9% to 8%, which is
substantial. Studies estimate that a 1% reduction in this marker can lower the risk of diabetes-
related death by 21% (33).

However, this study was small and short in duration. More studies are necessary.

SUMMARY
Some evidence suggests that spirulina may benefit people with type 2 diabetes,
significantly reducing fasting blood sugar levels.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 9/10
10/17/21, 10:07 PM 10 Health Benefits of Spirulina

The Bottom Line

Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria — often referred to as blue-green algae — that is incredibly
healthy.

It may improve your levels of blood lipids, suppress oxidation, reduce blood pressure and lower
blood sugar.

While more research is needed before any strong claims can be made, spirulina may be one of
the few superfoods worthy of the title.

If you want to give this supplement a try, it’s widely available in stores and online.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina 10/10