Spirulina for the brain: 5 main benefits it provides

Spirulina is a cyanobacteria that owes its name to its spiral shape and is greenish in color due to the presence of chlorophyll. It has a large number of beneficial properties for the human body such as: amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

It is characterized by being a very healthy supplement that does not contain any type of chemical product. In addition, it is easy to digest for humans and causes a great feeling of satiety for a long time.

Millions of people around the world use spirulina as a food supplement in their diet following the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommend the use of this supplement against malnutrition in humanitarian emergency situations to achieve sustainable development.

The benefits of spirulina on the body have been known since ancient times. Specifically, the study of the benefits of spirulina arose from a publication in 1940 by the French phycologist Dangeard after observing that the inhabitants of Lake Chad in Africa, despite living in a rather hostile environment due to the lack of food, were strong , were well developed and did not fall ill.

Later studies showed that these Africans ate food consisting of a type of green cake that they dried in the sun. After analyzing the nutrients, they discovered spirulina, a superfood that provides vitamins, minerals, amino acids and proteins in large quantities.

Improve memory

Ingesting spirulina helps improve memory capacity, since it helps protect the cognitive system and encourages brain and nervous system functioning. It helps promote general well-being and balances the nervous system leading to the reduction of mood swings and stress.

Brain relaxant

One of the main ingredients in spirulina is tryptophan, whose function is to synthesize proteins and stabilize the nervous system. Tryptophan is an amino acid that acts as a key for the body to secrete serotonin, the happiness hormone. By acting as a precursor to serotonin, it regulates mood, stress and appetite.

In addition, tryptophan is essential for the synthesis of melatonin, the key hormone for regulating sleep and wake cycles, so it helps us sleep better. The body cannot produce it on its own and that is why it must be ingested through food. For all these reasons, it is considered that having good levels of tryptophan helps prevent disorders such as insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Brain neuroprotector

The interest generated by the spirulina as a neuroprotectant to prevent and treat a wide number of diseases related to the cognitive systemsuch as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia and concussion syndromes.

The latest scientific studies have discovered that toxins and heavy metals accumulate in the brain throughout the life cycle, They inhibit proper brain function and lead to the dreaded cognitive diseases.

Spirulina, due to its high chlorophyll content, is an important agent in the elimination of heavy metals and toxins from cells, It helps us improve brain functions and protects neurons from possible damage due to its free radical content. Experiments are currently being carried out that relate spirulina to the improvement of symptoms in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, although the conclusions are not yet known.

Reduces the risk of strokes

When we talk about cerebral embolisms or ischemias we are referring to the lack of blood flow in the brain, which causes lack of oxygen and can cause a stroke. Just ten seconds of interrupted blood flow to the brain can cause unconsciousness and lead to serious health consequences.

A study by the Indian Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology found that a small daily dose of spirulina had a protective effect on the nervous system of rodents exposed to large amounts of free radicals, compared to rats that were not exposed to it. They were administered spirulina throughout the experiment. This laboratory test shows the promising effect of spirulina on preventing strokes.

Provides vital energy

Spirulina acts as a sports supplement, it has the power to Help our muscles recover more quickly once exercise is finished and also works as a powerful antioxidant.

Its daily intake reduces exhaustion, Therefore, both the athlete and those people who have always followed a sedentary life and are starting to exercise can leave their limits behind, making the result of their training more productive.

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