WELLBEING
Where Does Blue Spirulina Come From + Benefits, Risks, and Uses
Nikshep Myle │Updated: 01 February 2023
Introduction
Take one look at spirulina’s nutrition profile and you’ll understand why it’s been one of the best superfoods among health-conscious folk for years. 50 to 70% of it is protein, its phytochemicals detoxify the body and enhance immunity, and it’s an antioxidant powerhouse with many essential vitamins and minerals.
But what’s the deal with blue spirulina? Where does it come from, and what are its benefits and risks? We’ll cover all that and more in this article, including the difference between blue spirulina and regular spirulina and how you can use it.
But before we look at where blue spirulina comes from, let’s look at what traditional spirulina is.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a kind of blue-green algae that grows in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. It was a staple in the Aztec diet because of its easy availability and excellent nutrient profile — high in protein content and vitamins and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Even astronauts use spirulina because of its superb nutrient density.
This algae is rich in essential amino acids and fatty acids and is highly bioavailable since it has no cellulose cell wall. In other words, your body can easily access its nutrients without expending much energy.
Spirulina has a unique blue-green color thanks to phycocyanin (a plant pigment). Phycocyanin has remarkable antioxidant properties linked with inhibiting tumor growth and killing cancer cells.
Where Does Blue Spirulina Come From?
Blue spirulina is a pure extract of phycocyanin from regular spirulina.
Farmers grow spirulina in controlled indoor or outdoor environments and harvest, dry, and crush it into a blue-green powder. Manufacturers then draw phycocyanin from the powder and sell it as a pure, bright blue extract called blue spirulina.
In 2006, Nestlé decided to replace synthetic dyes with natural ones in their Smarties (chocolate sweets), but they couldn’t find a naturally occurring blue color, so they stopped selling blue Smarties. They found a solution in 2008 — spirulina. They began extracting natural blue coloring from spirulina to color their Smarties blue.
Is Blue Spirulina Natural?
Although its brilliant blue color looks artificial, blue spirulina is entirely natural.
But is it naturally occurring? No, you’ll only find spirulina in its blue-green form in nature.
What’s the Difference Between Blue Spirulina and Green Spirulina?
According to NASA’s findings, 1kg (2.2lb) of spirulina is equal to 1000kg (2204lb) of fruits and vegetables in terms of nutritional value. But that’s with regular or green spirulina, which is considered whole food.
Since blue spirulina is an extract of a single nutrient (phycocyanin) from regular spirulina, it doesn’t share the same astounding nutrient profile. It’s similar to the difference between turmeric and curcumin. Curcumin is a pigment in turmeric that gives it a yellow color and has some health benefits, but turmeric has more to offer.
Blue spirulina is richer in antioxidants but isn’t as potent as traditional spirulina at offering other health benefits. Green spirulina helps support normal cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels, improve immunity, and ease allergies like allergic rhinitis, among other things.
Benefits Of Blue Spirulina
Let’s take a closer look at what this spirulina has to offer.
1. Reduces oxidative stress
Oxidative stress occurs in the body when there’s an imbalance between free radicals (unstable molecules that damage cells) and antioxidants (molecules that fight free radicals).
Blue spirulina is a pure phycocyanin extract, brimming with antioxidants that can lower inflammation and reduce oxidative stress that harms cells. Oxidative stress can bring about issues like lowered immunity, fatigue, and muscle pain and contribute to aging, diabetes, and cancer.
2. Promotes good skin health
Antioxidants have powerful skin protective benefits that can give you bright skin and reduce damage from UV exposure. Blue spirulina’s high phycocyanin content can also help lower skin inflammation and promote faster healing. If you’re seeking more ways to enhance your skin, read our article on the benefits of neem for skin.
3. No fishy smell or taste
Regular spirulina tends to have a fishy odor and taste that can make it challenging for some people to include in their diet.
Since blue spirulina is an extract, it doesn’t have the same fishy taste or strong scent, making it easy to blend with other dishes and consume.
4. Natural blue color for dyes
Like Nestlé, you could use spirulina’s natural blue color to dye your foods or beverages blue. Whether it’s a light blue smoothie or a dark blue cheesecake, spirulina can help you prepare drool-worthy dishes perfect for Instagram.
How to Use Blue Spirulina
When starting out, it’s recommended you stick to servings of 1 to 3 grams of blue spirulina, but you can increase the dosage as your body gets accustomed to it.
Blue spirulina is sold in powdered form, and you could consume it on an empty stomach with water or juice in the mornings for enhanced absorption. You could add it to salads and juices or use it in baking or as a condiment. And, of course, you can use it as food coloring to wash your dishes blue.
But if you follow food combining rules or eastern medicine systems, you’ll want to avoid mixing spirulina with fruit juices or smoothies because algae is considered a sea vegetable.
Note that heating spirulina reduces its nutritional value. To receive maximum benefits from it, add it only at the serving stage.
What are the Potential Risks of Blue Spirulina?
Before you get yourself a 30-day pack of blue spirulina to add to your daily diet, let’s consider why you may want to avoid it or opt for minimal consumption.
1. Presence of vitamin B12 analogues
A side-effect of blue spirulina has to do with vitamin B12.
Phycocyanin in naturally occurring blue-green spirulina is packed with B12, but when dried, the B12 turns into B12 analogues. B12 analogues or pseudo Vitamin B12 have a chemical structure similar to B12, but the human body can’t use it. Instead, it worsens B12 deficiency (and anemia) by occupying the transport molecules that the real B12 needs.
This spirulina is a pure phycocyanin extract, but since it’s always sold in a dry, powdered form, it’s likely loaded with B12 analogues.
The ratio of B12 to B12 analogues in dried algae supplements varies significantly based on factors like the environment they grew in, the extraction and drying process, the addition of preservatives, etc. This means the same manufacturer’s spirulina batches may not have consistent B12 to B12 analogue ratios.
Vegans and vegetarians, who are more likely to have B12 deficiencies than non-vegetarians, may want to avoid consuming excess blue spirulina if they seek to boost B12 levels.
Chlorella and nori (red algae) contain more biologically active vitamin B12, so you’ll want to check them out if you want B12 through a plant-based diet. Spirulina will work too, but you’ll have to get your hands on fresh, raw spirulina to avoid worrying about B12 analogues.
2. Toxin contamination
Blue spirulina extracted from algae grown in water bodies with bacteria or heavy metals is dangerous for humans and could be toxic to the liver.
Before selecting a blue spirulina powder supplement, you’ll want to check that it’s been tested for heavy metals and comes from a clean source.
3. Phenylketonuria
People with phenylketonuria have high levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine, which can cause brain damage.
Although blue spirulina lacks the nutrient profile of regular spirulina, it could still contain the amino acid phenylalanine, so it’s best to avoid it if you have phenylketonuria.
4. General precaution
Consult your healthcare provider before taking blue spirulina supplements if you’re on medication, are pregnant, nursing, have a seafood or iodine allergy, or have a health condition.
Blue Spirulina FAQs
What does blue spirulina do for you?
Blue spirulina is exceptionally high in antioxidants and can slow aging, lower inflammation, and possibly offer anti-cancer benefits.
Is blue spirulina naturally blue?
Yes, blue spirulina is naturally blue because it’s a phycocyanin extract from blue-green algae.
Does blue spirulina have side effects?
Blue spirulina could be contaminated with heavy metals based on how it’s harvested and manufactured. Make sure to check supplements for heavy metal testing before purchasing them.
It could also have a high ratio of B12 analogues that the body can’t absorb, inhibiting natural B12 absorption.
Is it okay to take blue spirulina every day?
When starting, you can take around 1 to 3 grams of spirulina daily and gradually increase the dose to 8 grams. Going beyond that may cause side effects if your body isn’t ready for it, so seek medical advice before doing so.
Which is better blue or green spirulina?
Blue spirulina has higher antioxidant content since it’s an extract, but green spirulina has a better and more balanced nutritional profile, along with antioxidant effects.
What is the best form of spirulina to take?
Consuming natural raw spirulina is the best way to take it because manufacturing it in a powdered form could increase the presence of B12 analogues and potentially lower B12 levels for specific individuals.
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