Why is spirulina added to smoothies?

Spirulina is a very concentrated source of vitamins and minerals and also very detoxifying and alkalizing to the body , which is why it's considered a “super food” in many circles. I've been incorporating it mainly into my smoothies and love its intense color, neutral flavor, and health benefits.

How do you incorporate spirulina into food?

Spirulina can be used in stocks and soups, but is usually added to juices and smoothies . Some find the taste and colour off-putting, but you can get around this by taking capsules.

What can you not mix with spirulina?

However, it is possible that spirulina might interfere with drugs given to suppress the immune system, including: Adalimumab (Humira) Azathioprine (Imuran) Cyclosporine (Neoral) Etanercept (Enbrel) Infliximab (Remicade) Leflunomide (Arava) Methotrexate. Mycophenolate (CellCept)

What happens to your body when you start taking spirulina?

Research has found that the protein in spirulina can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol, lowering cholesterol levels . This helps keep your arteries clear, reducing strain on your heart that can lead to heart disease and stroke-causing blood clots. Its protein also reduces triglyceride levels.

What is best to mix with spirulina?

Mango juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice are perfect options to mix with spirulina powder. Don't add the powder to your juicer, as it won't effectively blend it with your drink. Pour the juice into a bottle afterwards and shake it to mix it with spirulina.

How much spirulina should I put in my drink?

The recommended dosage of spirulina powder can vary depending on individual needs and health goals. It is generally recommended to start with a small amount, such as 1 teaspoon per day , and gradually increase as needed. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Who should not take spirulina?

You should avoid spirulina if you take blood thinners or have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder, allergies, or PKU. If you're unsure whether this supplement is right for you, consult your doctor.

What is the purpose of taking spirulina?

Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria — often referred to as blue-green algae — that is highly nutritious. Studies show that it may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, suppress oxidation, reduce blood pressure, and lower fasting blood sugar levels . However, more research is needed.

What are the benefits of spirulina blend?

Health Benefits of Spirulina Rich in Nutrients. May Protect Against Cancer. Rich in Antioxidants. Reduces Blood Pressure. Reduces Cholesterol. May Decrease Allergic Rhinitis. May Help With Anemia. May Help Regulate Blood Sugar. More items... Jun 6, 2023

What is a substitute for spirulina in smoothies?

Yes here some alternatives to spirulina that may be more affordable include: Chlorella: This type of algae is similar to spirulina and is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Wheatgrass: This type of grass is a good source of nutrients, including chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals. More items... Jan 6, 2023

Why does spirulina help with weight loss?

Spirulina powder is packed with essential nutrients that can complement your weight loss journey. It is rich in protein, containing all nine essential amino acids required by the body . Protein plays a crucial role in weight management as it promotes satiety, reduces cravings, and helps maintain lean muscle mass.

Spirulina All in My Shake!.. Two recipes. (2024)

by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Mar 23, 2020 · published: Apr 10, 2013 · About 5 minutes to read this article. 1 Comment

“Legumes all on my plate. Spirulina all in my shake. No eggs all in my cake. You don’t believe it tastes great. You don’t believe it tastes great. Veggie. Veggie. Veggie… Bring it on down to Vegan-ville!”

Am I the only one who still LOVES it? I cannot stop replaying that SNL Justin Timberlake “Vegan-ville” skit in my head. The lyrics keep getting stuck in my head and now I just have to sing “Spirulina all in my shake!” as I sprinkle my spoonful of spirulina into my shakes and smoothies. (SNL skit video is embedded later in this post)

Two Recipes. Today I’m sharing my Banana Island Spirulina Shake with accents of tropical pineapple and coconut, all swirled together with a dash of spirulina. And my Tropical Spirulina Guacamole Toast. Buttery avocado, sweet pineapple, lively lemon and sweet Maui onion.

Spirulina: What’s All the Buzz About? There is a reason why you hear about spirulina so much. It contains over 100 nutrients including beta-carotene, iron, vitamins B12 and K, minerals and phytochemicals. Plus it is a high quality source of plant-based, complete protein.

Get my recipes + have some fun + enter my Spirulina Pacifica giveaway (5 winners!)..

My spirulina-infused avocado toast. SO good & nutrient-infused…

..And FYI, for you green-phobes.. Does all the green freak you out? No fear. Trust me on this one. I just fed my husband this spirulina-infused toast and he devoured it and didn’t even notice the spirulina. Ha. I told him as he picked his plate for crumbs and was raving about how yummy it was. He loved spirulina guac! And he is a slight green-superfood-phobe.

The flavor: Spirulina has a soft nutty flavor that is barely noticeable when blended with bright delicious flavors. Delicious, I promise! And spirulina newbies, just start small. Add a tiny pinch or spirulina and work from there! You want to eat this superfood…

“One 3 gram serving of (Hawaiian Spirulina Picifica) has higher levels of key antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.” – Nutrex Hawaii fact sheet

RECIPE 1 – Banana Island Spirulina Shake
vegan, serves 1-2

1 ½ frozen bananas
¾ cup watermelon, frozen (or try pineapple for island flavor)
½ cup non-dairy milk, vanilla
½ – 1 teaspoon spirulina *** if you do not have spirulina you can substitute with a handful of greens such and kale or spinach!

tropical spin: splash of coconut milk or a few pinches dried coconut (optional)

boost it: Add 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder if desired

Blend until smooth. If needed, add a splash more liquid to get blender churning.

RECIPE 2 – Tropical Spirulina Guacamole Toast – (Inspired by a ‘spirulina guacamole’ recipe in the Spirulina book.)
vegan, serves 1

3 tablespoon pineapple-avocado guacamole (below)
1 piece of sprouted grain toast

Sunny Pineapple Guacamole
makes 1 ½ cups

½ – 1 teaspoon spirulina
1 avocado, diced
½ cup fresh pineapple, chopped
⅓ cup sweet onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon pepper + a few pinches of pink salt
1 lemon, squeezed (or sub lime juice)
pinch of chili powder or cayenne
optional: grate in some fresh ginger! (Another favorite Hawaiian flavor)

Directions: Mash and fold until soft and spirulina is well mixed in.

Now we need some music and fun to go with these recipes… (don’t miss the spirulina highlight around 3:30)..

Justin Timberlake – Bring It On Down 2… by IdolxMuzic

More about Spirulina.. From Nutrex Hawaii: “Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® is a unique superior strain of Spirulina with the highest known nutritional content in the world. It’s all natural, 100% vegetarian, Kosher Certified, and Non-GMO. It’s the only Spirulina cultured in a Biosecure Zone free of herbicides and pesticides on the sunny Kona coast of Hawaii. Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica thrives in ponds fed with 100% fresh potable water from Hawaiian aquifers and pure, deep ocean water drawn from 2000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. This ultra-pure, deep ocean water enriches Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica with 94 trace minerals and is a unique natural resource used in our patented Ocean Chill Drying™ technology which ensures maximum nutrient potency. “

I also wanted to know why they do not use the “certified organic” label. They kindly answered me..

Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina is labeled All Natural and not Organic because the fertilizers allowed by organic production regulations — compost teas and/or manures — would lead to higher heavy metals and bacteria and an inferior quality Spirulina. (The approved fertilizers are geared for land-based farming, not aquatic farming of crops like Spirulina.) Hawaiian Spirulina is a natural product; it is pesticide free and herbicide free. Further, Hawaiian Spirulina earned Non-GMO Project verification from The Non-GMO Project, which offers North America’s only third-party verification for non-GMO foods and products.

..appreciated the answer on this! More info on the Nutrex Hawaii website.

More Smoothies Please! …want 365 smoothie recipes? 365 Vegan Smoothies – pre-order going on now! Like the Facebook Page for all book updates! (There will be a few awesome promotions next month!)