How to choose the best possible Spirulina?

31 Mar, 2025

Powder, tablets, capsules, or fresh spirulina?

Spirulina is a type of algae, similar to vegetables and berries, and its fresh form is the most valuable. While some vegetables benefit from cooking for better digestion, spirulina has a very thin and easy-to-digest cell wall. Therefore, it does not require cooking, and doing so is not recommended.

What do you expect from consuming spirulina? Fresh spirulina undoubtedly contains more bioactive substances, such as vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. These compounds are very sensitive and can easily degrade during drying processes, like conventional hot air drying. Therefore, spirulina in powder form contains fewer bioactive substances but retains more minerals and protein since these substances can withstand heat treatment. However, studies indicate that powdered spirulina can lose up to 80% of its bioavailability. It's essential to always check the recommended dosage (which can be as high as 20 tablets!) and to be aware of any additional substances that may be included, such as fillers for volume. Finally, be mindful of whether you personally feel any effects from using it.

How to recognize high-quality spirulina?

High-quality spirulina is deep blue-green and without a strong aroma. It has slight mushrooms or nut aftertaste.

The aroma of spirulina can develop during spoilage, heat treatment, or due to contaminants in the pond. Fresh lake air has no noticeable smell. Typically, any odor associated with spirulina comes from dead and decomposing algae left on the warm shore for a few days.

If spirulina is not deep blue-green, it may have been exposed to sunlight or bright light, or other greens could be mixed in.

Is the origin of spirulina known?

When choosing spirulina, the place of cultivation is crucial. Since spirulina mostly is cultivated in shallow ponds, it can easily absorb atmospheric pollutants. This tiny alga has a thin shell that cannot be washed or peeled off, so paying attention to where the spirulina was cultivated is essential.

Often, only the country of origin is specified. The prevalent spirulina powder in Europe is simply labeled with "origin - China." However, there are over 500 farms across various regions in China. Do you really trust products from a country with limited freedom of speech, especially when the farms are not named, and there is no way to learn more about their cultivation practices or the values of the companies behind them?

Note that when spirulina tablets or capsules are labeled as “produced in YYY,” the tablets or capsules are manufactured in YYY country, not the spirulina ingredient. Unfortunately, specifying the origin of the ingredients is not mandatory. Since China is the world's largest producer of spirulina, it is likely that the spirulina used in these products comes from there.

Spirulina production in Europe is primarily carried out by small and very small producers, which limits their distribution to local markets. In response to this, Latvian scientists K. Veģere and A. Stunda-Zujeva have established the first spirulina production site in Northern Europe. This facility features an innovative closed cultivation system that stands out globally (see video here). Located in the northernmost part of Europe, the farm is aptly named SpirulinaNord. Additionally, understanding European taste preferences, the SpirulinaNord team has developed spirulina drinks that taste nothing like algae.

Forget smelly spirulina powders from unknown farmers; enjoy fresh spirulina from SpirulinaNord!

Buy fresh & delicious spirulina here!

The wonderful spirulina: 10 reasons why you must include it in your diet today

17 Feb, 2025

Nature power against illness, fatigue, and obesity: improve your well-being with fresh and delicious spirulina

Every year superfoods or super products are gaining more and more popularity in the world and in Latvia. They are incredibly healthy natural products with high nutritional value and help in the fight against various health ailments. One such product is spirulina, a microscopic alga that is one of the oldest inhabitants of our planet and the first green organism that began to produce oxygen. The only organism that has survived to the present day is practically unchanged. Also unique in its composition. Spirulina contains many nutrients that a person needs daily, which ensures health and energy; besides, a person gets an even more significant effect when using it fresh.

Fresh SpirulinaNord spirulina has a neutral taste. Spirulina is easily absorbed even by people with digestive disorders and contributes to the harmonious absorption of other nutrients. It is so dark green that it is also often used as a natural and healthy dye. Here are 10 reasons why you must include spirulina in your daily diet! Everyday stress and fatigue, mental and physical overload, as well as various illnesses are the main reasons why our well-being deteriorates: our body has increased consumption of nutrients, there is less time for healthy meals, and more free radicals are generated, which initiate the inflammation and aging processes, which results in various ailments in the long term - someone gets a cold, someone gets high blood pressure, someone starts indigestion, and the list could go on and on. Spirulina is a natural concentrate of various biologically active substances. Therefore its effective support alleviates a large part of the mentioned problems.

1. Spirulina for managing stress caused issues

Overload at work or training, burning deadlines, night shifts or overtime - all this creates an additional load on the body and consumption of additional nutrients and free radicals. Research has revealed that the greatest strength of spirulina lies in its dark color - pigments are antioxidants that help the body prevent various damage caused by stress and prevent it from developing into chronic or acute inflammation and diseases. Therefore, let's take care of our stress level by c drinking a glass of fresh spirulina drink in the morning!

2. Increase energy without coffee or sugar overload

Is a day without coffee possible? Many spirulina users have realized that starting the day with a glass of spirulina is more valuable because the energy is ensured for a longer time than coffee or sugar can give and the feeling of hunger comes later. Spirulina contains a wide range of biologically active substances - vitamins, essential amino acids, etc. So it doesn't deplete your body's reserves like energy drinks do and sugar/caffeine crash is not caused. Spirulina is a healthy energy! Fresh spirulina - also delicious energy!

3. Reduces bad cholesterol and improves vascular health

Fast snacks, sweets and insufficient rest are a big burden on blood vessels and the heart. One of the unexplained phenomena of spirulina is its ability to reduce the effects of "poor nutrition". If you do not have the opportunity or desire to improve your eating habits significantly, then consumtion of fresh spirulina will be a big step towards healthier blood vessels, especially if you are not eating 500 g of all colour vegetables each day. For long term health improvement consume spirulina daily at least 8 weeks. SpirulinaNord drink are delicious and ready-to-use. You dont even need a coffee-mashine or any specific equipment. Daily dose is just 2-4 table spoons diluted with 100-200 g of water to obtain a healthy lemonade.

4. Helps in the fight against excess weight

Spirulina promotes the harmonious functioning of the metabolism, reduces appetite, and if you decide to move a little more, you will achieve results faster. It has been scientifically proven that those taking spirulina lose weight faster when starting physical activity. In addition, if you have metabolic syndrome, which makes it particularly difficult to lose weight, spirulina's ability to significantly reduce it has been scientifically proven. Spirulina has practically no sugars, and few calories with significant nutritional value. The daily portion is only 15 grams. After eating a double portion, you will feel more energy, so maybe the music playing in the background will invite you to dance or decide it is time for a longer walk. Activate your metabolism with spirulina!

5. For sporting achievements

Anyone who plays sports, dances, hikes, or is otherwise active has experienced sore muscles after more intense exercise. It is caused by microtrauma in the muscles and the accumulation of lactic acid. Spirulina is an ancient way of promoting physical endurance and post-workout recovery. Aztec messengers already took it with them when going to a neighboring city in order to have enough strength to deliver important news quickly. It has now been discovered that taking spirulina after heavy exercise helps muscles recover faster. The effect can be felt from the first time of use in few hours, it has a stable effect on sports performance.

6. Normalizes blood pressure

Did you know that high blood pressure is called the "silent death"? Because you may not feel it, but if left untreated for a long time, it damages the cardiovascular system and can lead to heart attack and stroke. Vascular narrowing drugs tend to have unpleasant side effects. Try taking spirulina in addition to your usual therapy for three months, and you (and your doctor) should be able to see improvements.

7. Iron, iron, iron...anemia

Almost half of women suffer from a reduced amount of iron, as a result of which the red corpuscles are not fully formed and the blood supply is disturbed, which leads to chronic fatigue. The most common complaints when using pharmaceutical iron preparations are disorders of the digestive tract and low absorption efficiency of many of these products. When used together with spirulina, stomach irritation is reduced, and spirulina's rich content of biologically active substances that promotes the absorption of iron preparations. In case of minimal iron deficiency, spirulina alone is able to increase the iron content in the body, because it has a very high bioavailability - excellent absorption capacity. Unlike spinach, spirulina does not contain interfering substances that delay iron absorption. Plus, fresh spirulina has virtually no taste! SpirulinaNord spirulina syrups has a lovely berry flavour that even kids enjoy. Wouldn't it be worth a try just because of that?!

8. Reduce digestion disorders, improve wellness

Stress, irregular meals, poor quality food and 100 other reasons lead to various digestion issues. You will feel the effect of spirulina in preventing irritation of the digestive tract and reflux within the first week, but for a lasting effect, researchers recommend using it for at least 3-6 months. In addition, the health of the digestive tract directly affects the ability to absorb other substances, thus digestive order is a base for the overall state of well-being. On the other hand, reflux from the stomach damages the larynx and can cause its inflammation. Start with the basics - regulate your digestive system properly, and spirulina is a great way to help yourself. Spirulina is very easy to digest, as it does not contain water-insoluble fibers. Neutral taste and easy to use, completely natural origin. Just mix two table spoons with a small cup of water and the berry flavour algae drink is ready!

9. Natural antioxidant power to reduce inflammation

Researchers have discovered that micro-inflammatory processes in the body are often not noticed until they reach specific forms of the disease. Until then, non-specific symptoms are usually observed - fatigue, headache, inability to concentrate and the like. Feeling neither quite healthy nor sick? Try spirulina! Our customers say that the effect can be felt already in the first three days. It will definitely not be worse, because spirulina is not a medicine. Spirulina is a microscopic algae, which can and should be used as fresh as possible in order to fully absorb the biologically active substances. In addition, spirulina is not even included in the list of unpopular allergens. Safer than tangerines!

10. A great food for vegetarians and vegans

If you also care about what planet we will leave for our children, if you care about where the food on your table came from, whether it was obtained in an environmentally friendly and ethical way, then SpirulinaNord spirulina grown in Latvia is definitely for you! In addition, it contains all essential amino acids, almost all B vitamins (including B12!), vitamin E, provitamin A and other antioxidants, iron and minerals in remarkably bioavailable forms. If you have already tried spirulina powder and you were not satisfied with its taste, then definitely try fresh spirulina. You may not believe it, but it really has NO taste. Rediscover spirulina, local and fresh!

Countless studies and our customers' experience substantiate these incredible properties of spirulina, which benefit our well-being! Try SpirulinaNord products, made in Latvia or give them to a friend! We ship spirulina syrups to all EU countries, fresh frozen spirulina we ship to all largest cities in Latvia.

Few studies of spirulina health benefits from PubMed database:

A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study of spirulina supplementation on indices of mental and physical fatigue in men: International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition: Vol 67, No 2 (tandfonline.com)

Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans - PubMed (nih.gov)
Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress - PubMed (nih.gov)

The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: an overview - PubMed (nih.gov)

Phycocyanin: Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism - ScienceDirect

Review Article. The Bioactivities of Phycocyanobilin from Spirulina JIR_4008991 1..8 (nih.gov)

Spirulina can reduce insulin resistance and reverse diabetes

30 Oct, 2024

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that can be managed but not cured. Spirulina can be beneficial for both types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, it helps maintain pancreatic health, lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and improve liver function. (Lee 2017).

Type 2 diabetes does not develop overnight. It begins with an increase in insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces that helps cells convert glucose into energy. In diabetes, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use it effectively.

Numerous large studies analyse suggest that spirulina may help reverse the development of diabetes mellitus:

Spirulina significantly reduce fasting plasma glucose (FPG; -10.31) and
lower insulin concentrations (-0.53)
and also significantly reduce total cholesterol (-20), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -19), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; -6.72) concentrations ) and significantly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 1.42)

in patients with metabolic syndrome and similar disorders.

Is spirulina is a youthful elixir? Some research summary

22 Oct, 2024

Spirulina is a dietary supplement that confidently conquers a place on kitchen shelves worldwide. What do scientists say about this product, and why is it becoming so popular?

Spirulina is the only edible blue-green algae from the group of otherwise toxic cyanobacteria. More and more clinical trials show its unique composition – it not only does not contain toxins but has the abilities of a youthful elixir. What is aging? If you do not count the numbers in the passport, then aging is based on the weakening of body functions and the accumulation of various deviations - cholesterol levels, blood pressure increase, tiredness, and following excess weight accumulation. Also digestion weakens, and more foods cause digestion problems. The list could go on because the domino principle works, and every dysfunction undermines other functions.

In turn, spirulina is called the elixir of youth because it contains a large amount of different active substances. Spirulina can help to:
•    reduce inflammation, thus returning the ability of cells to perform their functions fully
•    neutralize the effects of stress and pollution (yes, including smoking and other air pollution),
•    arrange digestion, including digestive disorders caused by stress and irregular eating,

• delay the entry of viruses into cells and reproduction in them.

Interestingly, it is due to the blue pigment phycocyanin of blue-green algae that is highlighted in studies as the most unique and effective compound of spirulina. Additionally, Spirulina contains all the essential amino acids and various minerals, including iron in a particularly bioavailable form, vitamins of group B, and enzymes.

Where did spirulina come from?

Spirulina is an ancient traditional dish for the inhabitants of Africa and Mexico. Europeans only began to pay attention to spirulina in the last century. It all started when a group of French-Belgian scientists studied the customs of the African population and found that relatively healthier people live near Lake Chad than in other areas of the region. After exploring the recipes of everyday dishes, it was found that the difference was precisely because of the "green thick mass" growing in Lake Chad, which they drew with baskets of cloth, dried out in the sun, and in the extraction of "Dihē" – a dry green sconce. It was toasted similarly, for example, going a long way or adding to soups. When viewed under a microscope, the green mass consisted of spiral threads. Of these spirals also the name – spirulina. Because of these healthy people on the shores of Lake Chad, scientists took spirulina with them to Europe, where they discovered its unique composition.

Why is spirulina gaining popularity right now?

Today's busy lifestyle and readily available ready-to-eat food, which is often not one of the highest quality raw materials in ideal proportions (more vegetables, less sweet sauces and drinks) or is heavily processed – deep-fried, boiled, sugared, salted, and otherwise preserved – unfortunately, leads to the fact that we have seemingly eaten – satiety is, but the cells do not receive all the substances they need – vitamins, trace elements, enzymes and all that should be in fresh (unworked) or freshly prepared food, who doesn't have to be able to stand on the shelf for weeks.

Therefore, it is precisely today that spirulina, with its unique composition created by nature, which is digestible even for a rather weakened stomach and intestines, is a particularly necessary product. Yes, it can even be called the elixir of youth if youth is a time when all our organs work better. Every year, more than 200 clinical trials are conducted, which show more and more new abilities of spirulina to sort out metabolism, relieve various inflammations, cleanse the body of heavy metals and toxins, as a result of which high blood pressure decreases, cholesterol indicators are sorted out, cravings for sweets, fatigue, and other "age ailments" are reduced.

Forget smelly spirulina powders from unknown farmers; enjoy fresh spirulina from SpirulinaNord.

Buy fresh & delicious spirulina here!