The Best Spirulina Supplements + Health Benefits and Buying Tips

Have you ever seen those health geeks sitting around sipping on glasses on what looks like grass water? That’s most likely Spirulina or a greens mix.

Why do people drink it? Because it’s packed full of incredible nutrients and antioxidants. Spirulina is a serious superfood that you may want to consider incorporating into your diet.

Spirulina products have grown in popularity over the last decade, along with the health movement. In this article, I’ve decided to list the best spirulina products you can buy right now and give you general information about the ultra-green super powder.

First, let’s take a look at the best spirulina product your money can buy today.

I’ve been using Spirulina in my morning smoothies for over two years now. Personally, I feel a huge difference with and without it. It gives me a boost in energy, and I feel more focused.

Most people in the world, vegan and non-vegan, simply don’t get enough nutrients. So adding spirulina powder to your daily smoothie is an effortless way to boost your daily nutrients intake.

Spirulina powder, when mixed with smoothie tastes like nothing. You won’t get an overwhelming grassy taste, which means your smoothie will look green, and you will get a considerable boost of nutrients. It’s a win-win.

Top-8 Spirulina Supplements On The Market

Ok, so here it is. The best spirulina products on the market are ranked by quality, brand reputability, and customer reviews.

BN Labs Organic Spirulina Powder

BN Labs presents a 100% raw and organic spirulina powder that packs a powerful punch of protein, iron, B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E. This is a USDA Organic Certified product from a highly reputable brand.

Each serving of BN Labs spirulina labs contains 70% protein (4g). Spirulina’s raw natural form absorbs much better in the body, allowing you to take on as many of the nutrients as possible.

What’s more, BN Labs products are non-GMO, gluten & soy-free, and third-party tested for purity. There are also zero artificial ingredients, fillers, or any other nasty stuff—just pure raw organic spirulina powder.

Buy Now

Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens

Transparent Labs is another top brand that is committed to transparency, as the name suggests. This product is not a pure spirulina powder. Instead, it contains a potent mix of greens, including Spirulina, algae, chlorella, and prebiotic fibers.

The focus here is on gut health, which a growing body of research is discovering may be an essential key to preventing all manner of health-related issues and chronic diseases. The prebiotic fibers are sourced from organic acacia fiber, green banana flour, and Jerusalem artichoke fiber.

The result? A gut-healthy powder that promotes good bacteria combined with the nutrient power of Spirulina and chlorella. This approach allows for maximum nutrient utilization by optimizing your microbiome.

You can only buy Transparent Labs products on their official website.

Buy Now

Nutrex Hawaii Pure Hawaiian Spirulina

Nutrex has created a high-quality spirulina powder that delivers powerful nutrition. The brand claims they’re not organic because “organic-labeled Spirulina uses animal waste as fertilizer in the water. It’s ONLY *grown* outside the USA, usually in China, resulting in high levels of contaminants & heavy metals, bad taste & smell, & is usually irradiated.”

I’m unsure of the truth in that statement, so I will investigate further. The brand also claims that this product delivers 3,900% more beta-carotene than carrots and 31 times the amount of antioxidants found in blueberries.

The Spirulina used is grown in the USA and certified non-GMO with extensive quality control & lab testing for every batch created.

Buy Now

Healthforce Spirulina Manna

Healthforce is another brand that chooses to grow and produce its Spirulina in the US. Helathforce has a TruGanic™ standard that all its products adhere to. This involves strict standards and testing for pesticides to ensure purity and quality.

I like Helathforce because of its company ethos, which is about delivering high-quality and effective supplements to improve their health and overall quality of life. I also like the fact that their packaging is recyclable, and they operate within a vegan FDA registered cGMP compliant factory.

Buy Now

Viva Naturals Spirulina Powder

This Spirulina is grown in California, is pesticide-free, non-GMO, and certified vegan. Viva Naturals spirulina powder is rich in Vitamin A features an antioxidant called zeaxanthin that’s known to support eye health.

I like its flavor; it has a natural sea/fishy flavor, which helps balance out a smoothie. That might sound weird, just trust me on this. This product is also third-party tested for purity and grown in the fresh ponds of California, where it is exposed to high-quality sunlight.

Buy Now

NOW Foods Spirulina Powder

NOW Foods is one of the most popular and reputable brands within the vegan community. They‘re known to produce high-quality supplements and for a reasonable price. It has pretty much every label going including USDA Organic, non-GMO, kosher, halal, quality GMP assured, vegan/vegetarian, soy-free, and sugar-free,

It is also produced in a GMP-Certified factory and is NPA A-rated. That means the product has gone through extensive testing and is being produced at the highest standard possible. NOW Foods Spirulina is a great all-around product that is worth your money.

Buy Now

Earthrise Spirulina Natural

For those of you who hate the idea of green powder in your smoothie but want the powerful benefits of Spirulina, Earthrise has your back. They have put the powder in handy little tablets that you can swallow with a sip of water.

You also get a year’s supply, which is very useful. They’re organic certified and come at a very reasonable price. If you hate powders or the taste of Spirulina, this a simple and cost-effective way to get your dose of super nutrients.

Buy Now

Triquetra Health Organic Spirulina

The triquetra is a popular spirulina product because it comes with a very reasonable price tag. It provides a high dose of active plant extract for around $20. That gets you 120 tablets, which are great for anyone who hates the taste of green powders. Be warned, you need to take 4 pills every day, so one bottle lasts one month.

This is a pure spirulina product, you won’t find anything but 100% certified organic spirulina extract. Includes a healthy dose of Vitamin A and beta-carotene.

Buy Now

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is actually a fantastic life form that has resided on our planet for millennia. It is a blue-green Microalgae are microscopic organisms found in both seawater and freshwater. These microorganisms perform photosynthesis, which is an important natural mechanism to reduce the atmospheric CO₂ concentration.">microalga that helps to produce oxygen for our planet. Spirulina’s thought was integral to providing oxygen, which helped form the world’s atmosphere millions of years ago.

Spirulina is rightfully known as one of the world’s first superfoods and is still one of the most nutrient-rich foods on Earth.

Why is it a superfood? Firstly, it’s made up of 55-70% pure protein. That’s more than beef or soy! You also get all nine essential amino acids, which are literally the building blocks of life. Also packed into Spirulina is high-levels of:

• Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
• Beta-carotene
• Linoleic acid
• Arachidonic acid
• Vitamin B12
• Iron
• Calcium
• Phosphorus,
• Nucleic acids
• RNA & DNA
• Chlorophyll
• Phycocyanin

Nutritional Value

As stated above, Spirulina is packed full of incredible nutrients that can give you a significant health boost when consumed regularly.

So, let’s take a more in-depth look at the nutritional value of Spirulina.

Vitamins

Spirulina is rich in many vitamins, including those notoriously difficult to get on a vegan diet. They include:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)
• Vitamin K
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Vitamin B6
• Folate
• Vitamin B12
• Pantothenic Acid
• Choline

Minerals

Spirulina also contains some essential minerals, including:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Selenium

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are an essential part of any diet. Spirulina contains a healthy amount of omega-3, which is great news for vegans who struggle to get this vital nutrient.

• Saturated Fat
• Monounsaturated Fat
• Polyunsaturated Fat
• Omega-3
• Omega-6

Benefits of Spirulina for your health

Superfoods are often passed off as being “ineffective” or a “money-making con.” But Spirulina has a wealth of research behind its belt. Here are some evidence-based health benefits from consuming Spirulina.

Packed Full of Nutrients

As you can see above, Spirulina is packing some serious nutrition. This tiny alga is an excellent source of super nutrients that hold enormous health benefits—the main being protein, B Vitamins, copper, and iron.

Gram for gram, Spirulina might just be the most nutritious food on the planet.

Powerful Antioxidants

Cell damage releases free radicals, which can cause all manner of inflammatory issues in your body. This is better known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants commonly found in healthy and butorutous plant foods prevent this from happening and maybe vital to avoiding some of today’s most prevalent health issues.

The main active component in Spirulina is phycocyanin. This is a powerful antioxidant responsible for the algae’s blue-green color. Phycocyanin is like a ninja that fights off free radicals and can significantly reduce the production of inflammatory signaling molecules.

This helps make Spirulina an anti-inflammatory.

Helps Lower “Bad” LDL and Triglyceride Levels

As heart disease continues to sweep the world’s population, it’s never been more important to focus on foods and nutrients that help lower “bad” LDL and Triglyceride levels.

Studies have shown that Spirulina can effectively help prevent the development of heart disease by improving these markers. Other studies have shown that Spirulina also lowers levels of triglycerides by over 16%.

Other Health Benefits

If the above wasn’t enough for you and you need more health benefits before buying into Spirulina, here are some other evidence-based benefits of consuming the green stuff.

• Protects “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidation
• May prevent some cancers
• Reduces blood pressure
• Improves Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
• Might help fight against Anemia
• Improves strength and endurance
• Controls sugar levels

Does Spirulina have any side effects?

The algae in which Spirulina is derived is not a common allergen. It’s unlikely that someone would have an adverse reaction to Spirulina. Always try lower doses first just to try it and see how you feel.

If you develop any side effects such as nausea or headaches, it could be two things. First, you’ve bought a nasty poor-quality supplement, or your body needs a few days to get used to the nutrients.

Some spirulina products, if sourced from China, may contain heavy metals that may affect some people. I recommend buying Spirulina that has been grown in the USA, such as Nutrex Hawaii Pure Hawaiian Spirulina, Healthforce Spirulina Manna, or Viva Naturals Spirulina Powder.

How to use Spirulina?

Spirulina is versatile and can be included in your diet in several different ways. Below are the top 5 ways to use Spirulina.

In Your Smoothie

This is by far the easiest way to incorporate spirulina powder into your diet. Just add 1 or 1.5 teaspoons of spirulina powder to your daily smoothie. Most spirulina powders have very little noticeable taste. You probably won’t even notice, except for the green color.

My favorite smoothie is frozen mixed berries, unflavored protein powder, chia seeds, spirulina powder, MCT oil, creatine, lemon juice, water, and ice. Perfect start to any day!

In Your Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is a classic vegan dessert. Simply add Spirulina alongside your chia seeds, plant milk, maple syrup, mint leaves, and whatever else you are putting in.

This is a simple way to turn your sweet dessert into a nutrient power blast.

In Your Ice Cubes

Simply add water and Spirulina together and then freeze in your ice cube tray. Each time you have a glass of water or smoothie, pop a few in for a nutrient blast.

This is a quick and easy way to incorporate Spirulina into your diet. If you hate the oceany flavor, avoid just putting the ice cubes with water. Mix with juices or smoothies instead.

In Your Latte

You can’t beat a good vegan latte with almond milk. Oh, wait, you can. Just add a teaspoon of Spirulina for a nutrient boost and frothy green goodness.

Using Spirulina in your latte is similar to a hot matcha green tea. It’s an excellent way to get a quick nutrient boost in the morning.

In Your Hummus

Yes, you read that right, in your hummus! Seriously, you won’t even taste it, and who doesn’t want green hummus? It’s also a great way to add more protein and nutrients to the already super healthy hummus.

Essential characteristics to choose spirulina supplements

Dosage

Dosage is typically around 3g-3.5g per day. There is no proper dosage set out by regulators, but most brands advise on this amount.

Some studies have suggested that anywhere between 1g-8g daily is beneficial for your health. 4.5g daily was found to help with hypertension, and 1g daily was found to help those with type-2 diabetes.

It’s probably best not to exceed 8g and experiment with the dosage yourself to see how you feel.

Certifications

The best quality spirulina is organically produced and grown outside of China. This is due to China’s infamous unregulated market, which means we have no idea about the Spirulina source or growing condition.

Look out for the following certificates for a quality product:

• USDA-Organic
• GMP-Certified
• Non-GMO
• Third-Party Tested
• Vegan Certified

Value

In my experience, buying the cheapest or most expensive supplement is never a good idea. You should aim to buy a reasonably priced product with a good supply (3 months – 1 year), certified (look above), and a reputable brand.

The list above considers all of these aspects.

Conclusion

Spirulina is simply one of the best things you could add to your diet. It’s rich in amazing nutrients that are hard to source elsewhere. Add it to your smoothies, put it in your chia pudding, or even to your hummus! Just eat it!

Always make sure you’re buying quality supplements using the advice above and enjoy your green goodness!

FAQ