Spirulina: A Luxury Health Food and a Possible Panacea for Malnutrition

Spirulina: A Luxury Health Food and a Possible Panacea for Malnutrition
OKcamera/Shutterstock
|Updated:

Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, is an incredible superfood that provides a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. As one of the oldest life forms on Earth, the use of spirulina as a food source dates all the way back to 9th century Chad, and it is believed spirulina was used by the Aztecs in 16th-century Mexico.

Spirulina, a type of one-celled organism, got its name from the Latin word for “helix” or “spiral” because of its spring-like physical characteristic. In the US, spirulina is mostly known as a nutritional supplement or an ingredient to add nutrient power to smoothies and green drinks. However, in other parts of the world, spirulina is regarded as a valuable food source to prevent malnutrition. 

What Makes Spirulina a Nutritional Superstar?

Children who received a spirulina supplement daily five days a week for two months had better nutritional status and improved intellectual status compared to those who did not (Happy Zoe/Shutterstock)
Children who received a spirulina supplement daily five days a week for two months had better nutritional status and improved intellectual status compared to those who did not Happy Zoe/Shutterstock