If you’re anything like us, you’re busy. With work, kids, family, friends and trying to maintain any semblance of a social life – it can be difficult (at best) to eat in a way that supports the energy and vitality you need to get through the days without feeling exhausted. And can we be really honest? This is where our passion for local, sustainable superfoods comes from. We know you WANT to eat well, but sometimes life just gets in the way. So, we’re here to help!
We love using our fresh spirulina in a number of different ways – think salad dressings, smoothies, yogurt, chia puddings, fresh juices, raw energy balls and just plain water! Just add a scoop of the green stuff for a heaping pile of vegan protein, vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients to boost energy, balance mood and help you look and feel your very best.
But how exactly does spirulina support health? Well, let’s break it down:
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a brightly colored red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits (think carrots, pumpkin, squash... and spirulina!). Once ingested, beta-carotene is either converted into vitamin A (retinol), which the body can use in a variety of ways, or it acts as an antioxidant to help protect cells from the damaging effects of harmful free radicals - and it just so happens that spirulina is an excellent source of this powerhouse nutrient and contains even more than your average carrot! Important for eyesight, immunity, energy, skin health, reproduction and more - trust us when we say beta-carotene is absolutely essential for vibrant, vital health and wellness!
Gamma-Linolenic Acid
An excellent source of anti-inflammatory gamma-linolenic acid! Somewhat difficult to find in food sources (with small amounts found in breast milk, evening primrose oil, blackcurrant oil, oats, hemp and barley) GLA cannot be created by the body, meaning we must find from outside sources. Important for skin, hair, nails and joints - GLA deficiency is common in individuals with skin issues like eczema!
Phycocyanin
Have you heard of phycocyanin? It's a blue pigment found in spirulina and plays an important role in the photosynthesis of cyanobacteria! Known to support healthy inflammatory response, studies have begun to show that phycocyanin can reduce oxidative stress and inhibit harmful free radicals in the body. This is important as oxidative stress is a known contributor to systemic inflammation which can result in digestive issues, skin irritation, allergies, mood swings and more! We're so excited to share that lab reports have shown that every 2 tablespoons of SpiraVeg spirulina contains 1g of phycocyanin! This means that every time you reach for SpiraVeg you're supporting the overall health, wellness and vitality of your body - without any icky taste or smell.
Iron
Whether vegan or carnivorous, iron deficiency is more common than you think. In fact, the World Health Organization considers it to be the number one nutritional deficiency in the world! Why do we care? Well, iron is an essential mineral that contributes to the production of healthy blood cells, and the human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Luckily - spirulina is an excellent source of bioavailable plant based iron! Psssst - to help increase absorption, consume with vitamin C rich foods like dark berries, orange squash, and red peppers!
As you can see, spirulina offers a host of important nutrients – and really, that’s just a quick look at some of the benefits it contains, but even more important than the nutrients found in spirulina is what the body is able to do with them. Luckily, SpiraVeg Fresh Spirulina is 100% bioavailable, meaning your body can easily access and utilize the nutrients found in this amazing superfood!
Stay tuned here and subscribe to our monthly newsletter as we share even more about this amazingly sustainable superfood! Thanks for joining us on this amazing journey to health, wellness and vitality!
The SpiraVeg Team
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