Spirulina as a superfood: uses and benefits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/limentech.v20i2.2271Keywords:
spirulina, uses, health benefit, enriched foodAbstract
The microalgae Arthrospiraplatensis, commonly known as Spirulina, is a blue-green colonial cyanobacterium considered one of the most amazing foods today, which has drawn the attention of researchers and experts in human nutrition due to its high content of macro and micro-nutrients and their therapeutic uses. The objective of this work is to expose the reasons why spirulina algae is correctly classified as a superfood.Systematic review of the works published in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and ProQuest databases. The search was not limited by year of publication, excluding articles with low scientific evidence. Search terms: Spirulina, Nutritional potential, Superfood, Uses and benefits/Nutritional value. Studies that demonstrated the benefits of spirulina algae supplementation and itseffects on nutritional status were chosen.Spirulina algae contains about 95% of the nutrients considered essential in human nutrition, which makes it an ideal food, these nutrients ranging from proteins, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, mucopolysaccharides, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, antioxidants, even various types of pigments and phytochemicals of significant value for the nutrition and health of the human being.There are studies that show that spirulina algae has lipid-lowering effects with a decrease in atherogenic risk, and also thanks to its high content of essential fatty acids, it is great to help in the control and/or prevention of diseases such as obesity, arthritis, alcoholism, neuropsychiatric and inflammatory diseases. Spirulina algae is rightly classified as a superfood, since it contains all the nutrients to maintain health in a balanced way, it is also a food of ancient use, bioavailable and accessible to most of the population.Financial support was provided by the researcher's own resources.
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