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As far as superfoods go, spirulina just does it all. It works as an antioxidant, assists in weight loss, lowers blood pressure, and detoxifies the body.
But, as with all supplements, the best ones are hard to find. So, our team here did some extensive searching and testing to be able to bring you some really good options.
Our Top Spirulina Supplement Recommendations
PRODUCT | PRODUCT DETAILS |
|---|---|
OUR #1 RATED  Transparent Lab Prebiotic Greens (Editor's Choice) | |
OUR #2 RATED  Viva Naturals Spirulina Powder | |
OUR #3 RATED  Nutrex Pure Hawaiian Spirulina | |
OUR #4 RATED  BN Labs Organic Spirulina Powder | |
OUR #5 RATED  NOW Supplements Spirulina Powder |
1 - Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens (Editor's Choice)
It took a bit of a debate and almost an act of congress, but we all eventually came to one conclusion. Transparent Labs has managed to live up to its claims that it has created the best quality spirulina supplements.
With a unique blend of spirulina and chlorella, the ingredients of the prebiotic greens are backed up by scientific studies [1]. These studies support their claim that it can help with detoxification and significantly lower free radicals.
And from a nutrition perspective, it also provides a healthy dose of prebiotic fibers to help your digestion.
PROS
CONS
The taste isn't too bad, but I'd love to see a flavored option to make it just a bit easier to take as a morning drink.
2 - Viva Naturals Spirulina Powder
Viva Naturals is another favorite here at the office, and it's possibly one of the cheapest products available. It doesn't have the same fiber and high dosage of active nutrients as the above Transparent Labs option, but it's still a positively reviewed diet supplement.
It has a total of 76 servings per container, so if you want to get a larger dose, that's still a cost-effective choice.
A lot of people like the fact that it's grown in California and certified to be pesticide-free, which does provide some extra peace of mind.
PROS
CONS
The only downside, if you don't like shaking your supplements like a professional cocktail master, then it might be best to use a blender.
3 - Nutrex Pure Hawaiian Spirulina
If you're not a fan of the taste of algae (let's face it, who really is?), then capsules or pills are going to be the best alternative.
From a nutrition point of view, you'll still get all the value, but you can avoid pinching your nose to get it down.
You will need to take 3 capsules a day for the full effect, but that allows you to spread out the benefits throughout the day [2].
PROS
CONS
One thing I should mention is that a few people have reported that it can cause your breath to smell a bit fishy, so it might be best to take it before food.
4 - BN Labs Organic Spirulina Powder
Do you worry about the heavy metal content of some seafood? It's certainly something that is a big issue with a lot of fish and shellfish. But as a vegan, I was surprised that many sea plants could also contain these dangerous minerals.
BN Labs makes it clear in their advertising that they rely on third-party testing to verify the ingredients and lack of pesticides and heavy metals.
With absolutely zero cholesterol and only 1 g of fat, this spirulina powder from BN Labs is certainly a very healthy option.
PROS
CONS
Personally, the taste didn't bother me too much; it certainly beats having seaweed and algae in your breakfast (yes, that is a thing).
5 - NOW Supplements Spirulina Powder
Another excellent product that my dietitian recommended is this one from NOW Foods.
It has a vegan and organic certification, and you get the recommended daily dose of 3 g of spirulina.
What a lot of people like about it is that you won't need to take other dietary supplements to boost your intake of B12, so you can save a bit of money and still get all the essential nutrients.
PROS
CONS
I generally mix these nutrition supplements with a morning veggie smoothie, so the flavor doesn't bother me. But a few of the flavor-sensitive guys on the team here aren't a big fan of the taste.
6 - Triquetra Health Organic Spirulina Powder
What I like about this Triquetra product is that the company has gone a long way to get as many third party certifications as possible.
The one that users appreciate the most is that the content has been certified free of pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals.
From a nutrition perspective, it covers a broad range of amino acids, minerals, as well as vitamins A and K [3]. These all help your body's immune system and overall health.
PROS
CONS
One thing you might want to keep in mind is that you may need to blend it and not rely on a shaker.
7 - Earthrise Spirulina Natural
If you want to stock up on a year's supply of spirulina tablets, then Earthrise is possibly one of the most cost-effective ways.
The content of this bottle gives you 360 tablets, which is also going to be favored by those that just don't like the taste of spirulina in general.
With plenty of vitamins and minerals, your body will get a good boost, and there are many positive reviews on the quality of the nutrients.
PROS
CONS
Some people found that the tablets can be a bit difficult to swallow, so you might want to break them in half before taking them.
8 - Sari Foods Organic Spirulina Powder
This is another one of those products that can provide you more than just the primary benefits from spirulina.
It can supply you with all the B12 you need as well as some bonus omega fatty acids.
A lot of reviewers also highlight the fact that it provides 7 g of protein with a full range of amino acids to support many body functions.
PROS
CONS
One word of warning for those with sensitive taste buds, it does have a bit of a fishy aftertaste.
9 - HealthForce Superfoods Spirulina Manna
HealthForce has put a lot of effort into getting vegan and organic certifications, and they claim to use only high-quality algae.
A lot of people made positive comments about how it helped improve their energy levels.
But there is a reason this one has been pushed down the list.
PROS
CONS
This product used to be higher up on my list until someone pointed out that the label actually has a lead warning on it. Since I noticed that, I've switched to some of the other options above, as it's not a risk worth taking.
10 - Soul Organics Spirulina Powder
This blue-green algae product from Soul Organics is very popular on Amazon, mainly because it's possibly one of the cheapest options of all the organic products.
The content is also low in cholesterol and provides a good boost of vitamin A.
Also, from a calorie perspective, you won't have to worry that it might mess with your fasting periods.
PROS
CONS
One thing we didn't like about it is that you'll struggle to get it properly mixed in a shaker. It also has one of the most overpowering tastes, so you might want to mix with other strong flavors.
What To Look For When Buying Spirulina
There are a handful of things that our team focused on when assessing ingredients. The best products we found had certain nutrients on the content labels. And here is what my dietitian said we should focus on.
Protein - Spirulina is a great source of vegan protein which covers a wide range of amino acids that your body needs to function properly [4].
Iron - Iron is one of the vital nutrients that a lot of vegans can lack in their early days of adopting this lifestyle. Because spirulina is so nutrient-dense, it has been proven to supply plenty of iron [5].
Vitamins - You'll find that the vitamin content of spirulina is very supportive of providing you with vitamins A, B12, and K. This can eliminate the need for many other supplements.
Powder Vs. Capsules - In the above list, we provide options as both powder and capsules. Personally, I always stick to taking it the way nature intended, but if you really can't handle the taste, then stick with the pills.
Now, let's check out some of the benefits.
Health Benefits Of Spirulina
As I mentioned above, I never thought that I would ever feature algae in my diet. But once I found out about some of the health benefits of just a small dose of powder, I was convinced.
Reduce Blood Pressure - Heart health is a serious issue these days. Upon reading several studies that linked spirulina to reduced blood pressure [6], I was sold.
Detox - Spirulina is one of the most antioxidant-rich plant foods that you can find. If you have concerns over the accumulation of toxins in your body, maybe from years of eating meat, then this is a must-take supplement.
Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage. Its main active component is called phycocyanin. This antioxidant substance also gives spirulina its unique blue-green color.
Joe Leach
Registered Dietitian
Weight Loss - This is another one of the important benefits for anyone struggling with maintaining their body weight. Studies have shown that after 3 months of taking this supplement, BMI in test groups went down [7].
Side Effects Of Spirulina
The good news is that these simple algae are not known as a common allergen, and most people will tolerate the small amounts that you need to take. At the same time, it can be a good idea to try lower doses when you first start taking it.
If you notice some nausea or headaches, then it could be the product you chose, or it might simply take a few days for your body to adapt to these nutrients.
Take it easy at first, and once you lose some of the side effects, then you should be in a great position to really make improvements to your health.
Why Is Spirulina Considered Superfood?
Spirulina is considered a superfood because it is a very nutrient-dense product. This means that pound for pound, it contains a ton of macro and micronutrients in just a few grams of the powder.
About 70 percent of it is high-quality protein, and you can get all the iron, vitamin A, and B12 that you need every day.
If you can get over the taste, then this pretty cheap supplement can replace a lot of the chemically produced supplements that a lot of people have become reliant on.
FAQs
When is the best time to take spirulina?
Is spirulina safe for the kidneys?
How do you make spirulina taste better?
Can spirulina make you gain weight?
Does spirulina break a fast?
Which Product Should You Choose?
Of all the spirulina supplements we tested out, Transparent Labs is the one we all eventually agreed on as the best spirulina protein powder. It can make a big difference in your digestive health as well through a good amount of prebiotic fiber.
Between the positive online reviews, our own experience, and the fact that it has very little taste to it, it had us all convinced.
If you've taken any of the above products, then make sure you let us know on social media how it worked for you.
Transparent Labs
Best Vegan Spirulina Supplements
References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322641633_Chlorella_and_Spirulina_Microalgae_as_Sources_of_Functional_Foods_Nutraceuticals_and_Food_Supplements_an_Overview
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/481540-how-much-is-the-daily-dosage-for-spirulina/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4600246/
- https://www.livescience.com/48853-spirulina-supplement-facts.html
- https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNSms-5K14jNbZSeg-FYFA3e-6MFoA%3A1571223193193&ei=mfamXdqvC-TmxgOLqKSICA&q=spirulina+iron+content&oq=spirulina+iron+content&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l2j0i22i30l4.3713.4940..5389...0.2..2.224.1266.9j1j2......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i20i263j0i10.lb0GiXQTM0M&ved=0ahUKEwia4KvCzqDlAhVks3EKHQsUCYEQ4dUDCAs&uact=5
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26813468
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26813468
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