Spirulina insights: protein

Spirulina is also called the king of protein. Why? There is no other source of food as rich in protein as spirulina (55-70%): about three times higher than chicken! On top of that, Spirulina only uses a fraction of the land and water compared to traditional protein sources (1).

Why protein matters

Every cell in your body contains protein, which is essential for the functionality of your body. On average, an adult's body contains 12 kilograms of protein (2). Proteins are essential for building and maintaining body tissues, including muscles, organs, bones, and blood. Beyond that, proteins support various regulatory processes in the body. A protein-rich diet can also contribute to weight management by promoting satiety and preserving muscle mass (2).

A complete source of all essential amino acids

Proteins are made up of several building blocks called amino acids (2). In total, there are 22 different types of amino acids. While your body can make some amino acids on its own, others must come from your diet: these are called essential amino acids. Foods like meat, dairy, and legumes are great sources of protein, but they often don’t contain all the essential amino acids. 

Spirulina has the fantastic property of containing all the essential amino acids your body needs, making it a complete protein source (1). This is one of the reasons why spirulina is often considered a ‘superfood’. Another reason spirulina is often considered a ‘superfood’ is that it is highly digestible - 85 % to 95% - meaning your body can use the protein spirulina contains very efficiently (3). Adding spirulina is an easy and effective way to add some high-quality protein to your meals.

The good addition to a more plant-based diet

More people in developed countries are embracing plant-based diets, with many choosing a flexitarian or completely vegan lifestyle. While plant proteins are a great choice, they sometimes contain fewer essential amino acids or lack the ideal balance your body needs. Some plant-based proteins can also be harder to digest than conventional protein sources such as meat and dairy. That’s why the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends increasing your protein intake, especially when consuming a completely vegan diet, by about 30% more than the usual recommendation (2).

Spirulina can be a valuable addition to a more plant-based diet. Not only does it provide all the essential amino acids your body needs, making it a complete protein source, but it’s also highly digestible. On top of that, spirulina is packed with other beneficial nutrients. So why not give Spirulina a try?

Sources

1. Podgórska-Kryszczuk, I. (2024). Spirulina—An Invaluable Source of Macro- and Micronutrients with Broad Biological Activity and Application Potential. Molecules, 29(22), 5387. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225387

2. Voedingscentrum. (n.d.). Eiwitten. https://www.voedingscentrum.nl/encyclopedie/eiwitten.aspx#blokwaarom-heb-je-eiwit-nodig? 

3. AlFadhly, N. K. Z., Alhelfi, N., Altemimi, A. B., Verma, D. K., Cacciola, F., & Narayanankutty, A. (2022). Trends and technological advancements in the possible food applications of spirulina and their health benefits: a review. Molecules, 27(17), 5584. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27175584