You've seen it in nature, swimming in ponds or riding waves, but what exactly is algae and can it be good for your health? Including seaweed in your diet cansupport your healthIn many ways. So it's good that algae are finally getting their place in the sun in healthy eaters.
But what exactly is algae and should it be?Eat algae as food? Read here to learn more about the potential health and environmental benefits of microalgae.
What are algae?
Algae are at the base of the food chain in every body of water. But like any other form of plant, algae absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. Therefore, they play an important role in releasing the oxygen we breathe.
Algae are cultivated not only as a source of food, but also as raw materials. And since ⅔ of the Earth's surface is technically water, algae are a great source of nutrients with lots of potential to support health to grow around the world.1
Algae are a huge and diverse group of organisms as they are among the oldest life forms on the planet. Algae are simple plants that can range in size from microscopic (microalgae) to large, long algae or algae (macroalgae). Let's take a closer look at microalgae and how to harness their health benefits.
nbsp;
Microalgae: common species
Microalgae are single-celled organisms found in all types of water systems around the world. You can find microalgae in freshwater systems, marine water systems, hypersaline lakes, and even in desert and arctic ecosystems.2
Microalgae are full of energy, and because they can grow so easily in photobioreactors (translucent systems that support biologically active environments) or in open water ponds, they have become extremely popular.3
Two common types of microalgae are cyanobacteria (similar to bacteria and known as "blue-green algae") and green algae.
Blue-green algae -Often referred to as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae grow in both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. They do particularly well in calm lakes and ponds, where they give the water a deep green color. Cyanobacteria essentially use the sun's energy and process it into valuable nutrients and proteins that your body needs.4Blue-green algae like Spirulina are packed with beneficial nutrients and may offer some important health benefits.5
green algae -Chlorella is actually a unicellular algae that can live on land and in aquatic ecosystems. Not only that, green algae like chlorella contain important nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.6
golden seaweed -Euglena gracilis (sometimes called golden alga) is special because it doesn't need sunlight to grow, although it can still grow in sunlight. In addition, it is an excellent source of dietary protein, vitamins A, C and E and fiber.7Not only that, Euglena gracilis contains beta-glucans (the same compound found in mushrooms that's good for immune system health).8
What you should know about consuming microalgae
Microalgae can be found in many health products today. You will often see seaweed products in your favorite cafes and coffee shops. Two of the most popular are spirulina and chlorella powders. Algae powders like this can be added to foods and drinks like:
- Pucks
- Smoothies
- Salad dressing
- Soup
- Drinking water
But what exactly are the health benefits of spirulina and chlorella?
Spirulina: potential health benefits
Spirulina is quite rich in nutrients. For example, the Food and Drug Administration states that spirulina contains:
- calcium
- Niacin
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- B-Vitamine
- Ferro
- essential amino acids9
Recent research shows that nutrients from spirulina (a type of blue-green algae) can help:
- cardiovascular health. This is one ofBenefits of Olive Leaf ExtractAlso.
- healthy cholesterol levels
- immune function
- the health of the joints
- The fight against oxidative stress10
Chlorella: potential health benefits
Now Chlorella also contains a number of unique macro and micronutrients. In fact, some of the nutrients found in Chlorella are as follows:
- protein
- Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids
- Polysaccharide
- Vitamins
- minerals11
These nutrients provided by chlorella powder can support:
- healthy cholesterol levels
- Healthy blood sugar levels
- The fight against oxidative stress12
Golden algae (Euglena gracilis): potential health benefits
Golden algae (also known as Euglena gracilis) are found in many dietary supplements. An algae favorite, BetaVia, is packed with beneficial nutrients. This ferment made from dried whole seaweed consists of more than 50% beta-glucans.13
Because of the nutrients found in Euglena gracilis, eating this algae can support immune system health. Some of the immune supporting nutrients are as follows:
- protein
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-Glucane
- antioxidants14
Green smoothie with seaweed powder
This smoothie recipe is one of Dr. Gundry. This is where you add your choice of spirulina or chlorella powder to your smoothie.
What will you need:
1 teaspoon Spirulina or Chlorella powder- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1⁄2 cup baby spinach
- 1 mint feather, with stem
- 1⁄2 Avocado
- 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup tap water or filtered water
- 3 to 6 drops stevia extract (optional)
1 teaspoon Spirulina or Chlorella powderWhat to do:
- Place all ingredients in a high power blender.
- Blend on high until your drink looks smooth and fluffy.
- Add more ice cubes if necessary.
That's all. All that's left is to drink and have fun.
Sources
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576896/
2 https://www.longdom.org/open-access/biomass-from-microalgae-an-overview-2332-2632-2-118.pdf
3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/microalgae
4 https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-blue-green-algae-5022.html
5 https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-blue-green-algae-5022.html
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6530250/
8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/euglena-gracilis
9 https://www.livescience.com/48853-spirulina-supplement-facts.html#:~:text=
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5387034/
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
13 https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/article/algae-versatile-ingredient-food-beverages-and-supplements/page/0/1
14 https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/12/2926/htm#:~:text=
You've seen it in nature, swimming in ponds or riding waves, but what exactly is algae and can it be good for your health? Including seaweed in your diet cansupport your healthIn many ways. So it's good that algae are finally getting their place in the sun in healthy eaters.
But what exactly is algae and should it be?Eat algae as food? Read here to learn more about the potential health and environmental benefits of microalgae.
What are algae?
Algae are at the base of the food chain in every body of water. But like any other form of plant, algae absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. Therefore, they play an important role in releasing the oxygen we breathe.
Algae are cultivated not only as a source of food, but also as raw materials. And since ⅔ of the Earth's surface is technically water, algae are a great source of nutrients with lots of potential to support health to grow around the world.1
Algae are a huge and diverse group of organisms as they are among the oldest life forms on the planet. Algae are simple plants that can range in size from microscopic (microalgae) to large, long algae or algae (macroalgae). Let's take a closer look at microalgae and how to harness their health benefits.
nbsp;
Microalgae: common species
Microalgae are single-celled organisms found in all types of water systems around the world. You can find microalgae in freshwater systems, marine water systems, hypersaline lakes, and even in desert and arctic ecosystems.2
Microalgae are full of energy, and because they can grow so easily in photobioreactors (translucent systems that support biologically active environments) or in open water ponds, they have become extremely popular.3
Two common types of microalgae are cyanobacteria (similar to bacteria and known as "blue-green algae") and green algae.
Blue-green algae -Often referred to as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae grow in both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. They do particularly well in calm lakes and ponds, where they give the water a deep green color. Cyanobacteria essentially use the sun's energy and process it into valuable nutrients and proteins that your body needs.4Blue-green algae like Spirulina are packed with beneficial nutrients and may offer some important health benefits.5
green algae -Chlorella is actually a unicellular algae that can live on land and in aquatic ecosystems. Not only that, green algae like chlorella contain important nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.6
golden seaweed -Euglena gracilis (sometimes called golden alga) is special because it doesn't need sunlight to grow, although it can still grow in sunlight. In addition, it is an excellent source of dietary protein, vitamins A, C and E and fiber.7Not only that, Euglena gracilis contains beta-glucans (the same compound found in mushrooms that's good for immune system health).8
What you should know about consuming microalgae
Microalgae can be found in many health products today. You will often see seaweed products in your favorite cafes and coffee shops. Two of the most popular are spirulina and chlorella powders. Algae powders like this can be added to foods and drinks like:
- Pucks
- Smoothies
- Salad dressing
- Soup
- Drinking water
But what exactly are the health benefits of spirulina and chlorella?
Spirulina: potential health benefits
Spirulina is quite rich in nutrients. For example, the Food and Drug Administration states that spirulina contains:
- calcium
- Niacin
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- B-Vitamine
- Ferro
- essential amino acids9
Recent research shows that nutrients from spirulina (a type of blue-green algae) can help:
- cardiovascular health. This is one ofBenefits of Olive Leaf ExtractAlso.
- healthy cholesterol levels
- immune function
- the health of the joints
- The fight against oxidative stress10
Chlorella: potential health benefits
Now Chlorella also contains a number of unique macro and micronutrients. In fact, some of the nutrients found in Chlorella are as follows:
- protein
- Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids
- Polysaccharide
- Vitamins
- minerals11
These nutrients provided by chlorella powder can support:
- healthy cholesterol levels
- Healthy blood sugar levels
- The fight against oxidative stress12
Golden algae (Euglena gracilis): potential health benefits
Golden algae (also known as Euglena gracilis) are found in many dietary supplements. An algae favorite, BetaVia, is packed with beneficial nutrients. This ferment made from dried whole seaweed consists of more than 50% beta-glucans.13
Because of the nutrients found in Euglena gracilis, eating this algae can support immune system health. Some of the immune supporting nutrients are as follows:
- protein
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-Glucane
- antioxidants14
Green smoothie with seaweed powder
This smoothie recipe is one of Dr. Gundry. This is where you add your choice of spirulina or chlorella powder to your smoothie.
What will you need:
- 1 teaspoon Spirulina or Chlorella powder
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1⁄2 cup baby spinach
- 1 mint feather, with stem
- 1⁄2 Avocado
- 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup tap water or filtered water
- 3 to 6 drops stevia extract (optional)
What to do:
- Place all ingredients in a high power blender.
- Blend on high until your drink looks smooth and fluffy.
- Add more ice cubes if necessary.
That's all. All that's left is to drink and have fun.
Sources
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576896/
2 https://www.longdom.org/open-access/biomass-from-microalgae-an-overview-2332-2632-2-118.pdf
3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/microalgae
4 https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-blue-green-algae-5022.html
5 https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-blue-green-algae-5022.html
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6530250/
8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/euglena-gracilis
9 https://www.livescience.com/48853-spirulina-supplement-facts.html#:~:text=
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5387034/
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561078
13 https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/article/algae-versatile-ingredient-food-beverages-and-supplements/page/0/1
14 https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/12/2926/htm#:~:text=