You Have To Try This: Spirulina Superfood Smoothie Recipe
A handful of kale or any other green is a pretty standard smoothie ingredient these days – green is the colour of health and balance, after all.
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But recent social media attention has been all over a deeper, green-blue colour, that which can only come from the likes of blue green algae. (You may be familiar with spiriulina, chlorella and kelp, which are types of blue green algae.)
Juice bars are turning out nut “mylks” tinged with blue, and Melbourne Australia’s Matcha Mylkbar recently made waves on Instagram with its Blue Majik latte, made with a spirulina extract. Everyone is crazy for algae!
Spirulina, the spiral-shaped, blue-green algae, is the most “user friendly” of blue green algaes. It dates back to the Aztecs in the fourteenth century, who used it to boost their energy. Spirulina has plenty of health benefits, and is an almost perfect post-workout food.
- Rich in protein: Containing all essential amino acids, spirulina is rich in usable protein. In fact, by weight, spirulina contains up to 70 per cent protein, and its protein is easily digested and utilized by the body.
- Vitamin-mineral-andantioxidant-rich: Spirulina is rich in B Vitamins, Vitamin K, iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, potassium and zinc. Vitamin-and-mineral-rich foods have an alkalizing effect on the body. For this reason, spirulina can help to repair muscles post-workout.
- Anti-inflammatory: Spirulina is a source of Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that has been shown to prevent inflammation and protect DNA.
If you’re looking for a post-workout protein boost, try this take on a blue milk. It’s made with antioxidant-rich blueberries, spirulina, and has a little extra protein boost from your favourite vanilla plant-based protein.