Superfood algae: What's in these powerhouses?

Veröffentlicht am: October 03, 2024
Sarah Allen
Sarah Allen

Nutritionist and dietician

Researchers have long known that algae offer many benefits for our health. These primitive life forms have been used as food and for medicinal purposes for centuries. Algae grow in fresh and salt water and, like plants on land, their purpose is to produce oxygen.

Algae are very sustainable and environmentally friendly to grow, as they only need sunlight, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and phosphorus. They feed on dead leaves, for example.

In recent years, microalgae have become increasingly popular - and rightly so.

➤ Algae produce 50 % of our oxygen requirements and convert 3 x more CO2 than plants on land!

What makes algae a powerhouse?

Algae are among the true powerhouses among plants and are packed with valuable ingredients such as protein, amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and many B vitamins), minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, calcium, iron or zinc, omega 3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, GLA and ALA), active enzymes and phytochemicals such as chlorophyll. 

Microalgae such as spirulina or chlorella have been shown in studies to have antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antidiabetic and antibacterial properties.

And that's not all: another potential area of application is the treatment of obesity. The scientific literature provides evidence of the anti-obesity effect of various microalgae. According to the studies, the accumulation of body fat is reduced. Insulin resistance and inflammation are also improved.

Even the Aztecs revered spirulina algae!

What are the three most valuable ingredients?

1. astaxanthin - the most powerful antioxidant from the sea

Astaxanthin is one of the most effective carotenoids and antioxidants from the sea and is extracted from green algae. The natural pigment gives a variety of foods such as krill, lobster and salmon their typical red color.

Astaxanthin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with the substance being 65 times more effective than vitamin C and 50 times more effective than vitamin E in protecting cell membranes. It is also 11 times more powerful than other carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Research suggests that astaxanthin can be beneficial in strengthening the immune system and in inflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases.

Astaxanthin supports the body as a natural internal protection against sunburn!

➤ Buy astaxanthin capsules now!

2. chlorophyll - the green gold

Another important reason why algae are so good for our health is their high chlorophyll content. Algae need this for photosynthesis, i.e. the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. Chlorophyll provides the plant with energy and therefore indirectly also us. The best sources of chlorophyll include algae, green vegetables or grasses such as wheat grass or barley grass.

The microalgae chlorella and spirulina also act as natural chelators. This means that heavy metals such as lead or mercury can be removed with their help. The chlorophyll they contain absorbs the heavy metals and helps to detoxify the body.

Chlorophyll binds heavy metals and accelerates elimination!

3. omega 3 - from vegan algae oil 

The third good reason for the health-promoting effect is the high content of the valuable omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Omega 3 is extremely important for general health and helps to fight inflammation in our body.

For years, omega 3 from fish oil was mainly recommended, but algae oil is currently becoming increasingly popular as a source.

The vegan alternative to fish oil helps to improve your own omega 3 levels in a natural way. Studies have shown that omega 3 from algae oil is bioequivalent to omega 3 from fish oil. Even fish have to eat algae in order to produce the valuable fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Omega 3 from algae is particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable!

➤ Order Omega 3 from algae oil now

The two most popular microalgae

1. spirulina

Spirulina is best known for its strong nutritional profile. Compared to chlorella, spirulina contains more essential fatty acids and phytonutrients and is 70% protein, twice as much as meat. Studies have shown that regular consumption of spirulina can help detoxify the body, boost energy levels and even improve brain function. 

2. chlorella

Chlorella is also very rich in valuable phytonutrients. In the plant world, chlorella is considered the plant with the highest measured concentration of chlorophyll - this is easy to recognize by its rich, dark green color. Studies show that chlorella benefits the entire body. The algae is said to promote healthy hormone function, support the immune system and help detoxify the body. 

Spirulina and chlorella are among the most nutrient-rich foods available today!

Conclusion

Algae are packed with valuable ingredients and therefore have many health benefits. The most valuable ingredients include chlorophyll, astaxanthin and omega 3. 

As algae require little to grow, they are considered to be particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable in production. Algae oil is often considered a better alternative to fish oil in particular, as improper fishing leads to overfishing and the destruction of marine habitats.

Spirulina and chlorella are among the most popular microalgae. They are often taken together to benefit from both nutrient profiles. 

We - like many others - are very enthusiastic about microalgae and their ability to support our health. See for yourself and give them a try!

 

Sources (in English):

Deng, R.  & Chow, T. (2010, August). Hypolipidemic, Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activities of Microalgae SpirulinaCardiovascular Therapeutics, 28(4): e33–e45, doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5922.2010.00200.x

Hosseini, S. M., Khosravi-Darani, K. & Mozafari, M. R. (2013, June). Nutritional and medical applications of spirulina microalgaeMini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 13(8):1231-7 

Kay, R. A. (1991). Microalgae as food and supplement. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 30(6):555-73, doi: 10.1080/10408399109527556 

Wu, Q., Liu, L., Miron, A., Klimova, B., Wan, D. & Kuca, K. (2016, August). The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: an overview. Archives of Toxicology, 90(8):1817-40, doi: 10.1007/s00204-016-1744-5 

Ambati, R. R., Phang, S. M., Ravi, S. & Aswathanarayana, R. G. (2014, January). Astaxanthin: sources, extraction, stability, biological activities and its commercial applications--a reviewMarine Drugs, 12(1):128-52, doi: 10.3390/md12010128 

Yuan, J. P., Peng, J., Ying, K. & Wang, J. H. (2011, January). Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgaeMolecular Nutrition & Food Research, 55(1):150-65, doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201000414

Arterburn, L. M., Oken, H. A., Bailey Hall, E., Hamersley, J., Kuratko, C. N. & Hoffman, J. P. (2008, July). Algal-oil capsules and cooked salmon: nutritionally equivalent sources of docosahexaenoic acidJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 108(7):1204-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2008.04.020 

Kwak, J. H., Baek, S. H., Woo, Y., Han, J. K., Kim, B. G., Kim, O. Y. et al. (2012). Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killer cell activity and early inflammatory response (Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial). Nutrition Journal, 11: 53, doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-53

Panahi ,Y., Darvishi, B., Jowzi, N., Beiraghdar, F. & Sahebkar, A. (2016). Chlorella vulgaris: A Multifunctional Dietary Supplement with Diverse Medicinal Properties. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 22(2):164-73