Spirulina, urgh! Why is it that something so good for us is so gross? This is one food I really struggle with as the taste and smell is so nasty! We need this food in our whole-food, plant-based diets as it is the richest whole-food source of complete protein, rich in GLA and contains important B complexes including bio-available B12, which we can only get from food as us humans can’t make it on our own. Spirulina is the most nutritious whole-food known to man, so it needs to be sweetened up and eaten… EVERY DAY to restore and revitalise your health. Which is why I thought to mix it with none other than chocolate and hide the taste completely. My Chocolate Spirulina Smoothie Bowl recipe is so good, it will have you forgetting that the smelly spirulina is even in there.
Spirulina
This blue-green algae is a freshwater plant that grows in Hawaii, along with other exotic locations around the globe and has a pretty impressive nutrition profile. This superfood is rich in protein containing 50%-70% of protein by weight. Additionally, it contains ALL of the essential amino acids, is full of antioxidants, strengthens our immune system, is one of the best sources of iodine and is packed with many B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12 which plant-based and vegan diets need as the human body doesn’t produce this vitamin itself. There are nearly 1,200 peer-reviewed scientific articles to date evaluating its health benefits.
Detoxifying
One nasty toxin, inorganic arsenic, is present in high levels across the globe causing humans to have chronic arsenic toxicity and spirulina decreases this. These days, there are so many toxins in our environment – stress, foods and products we use are all to blame. It’s unavoidable, so don’t feel too bad. Spirulina will help to decrease the amount of toxicity in the body. Less toxicity in the body means that our bodies can work properly and efficiently, being relieved from many uncomfortable health issues and painful diseases that can develop later on in life.
Prevents Cancer
Many studies have started to show spirulina’s effect on preventing cancer growth. 87 people from India with precancerous lesions were taking one gram of spirulina per day for one year. As a result, 45% of them had a complete regression of lesions in a month, whereas only 7% in the control group were displaying regression (16). When they stopped taking spirulina, lesions occurred and developed once again the following year.
There is still a lot of research to be done, but this a great start. Eating a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, cutting out processed foods and sugars will also help prevent cancer.
Skin Health
Free radicals are everywhere and responsible for our skin’s health. Spirulina’s impressive nutrient content contains all eight of the essential amino acids. Spirulina will replenish and rejuvenate the skin making it glow and blemish free!
Weight Loss
As spirulina has such a high protein and fiber content, this can help satisfy your hunger. This, along with a healthy, balanced plant-based diet will keep you on the road to shedding those extra pounds you’d rather be without.
Other benefits of spirulina include lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and chances of strokes. It fights and improves muscle strength and decreases PMS symptoms.
The most powerful and nutritious kind is Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica, so try to look out for that one when shopping. I know it can be difficult and pricey to find, so just make sure you look for an organic one.
Let’s get blending…
Chocolate Spirulina Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Cocoa
Spirulina
Hazelnut milk
Dates
Banana
Toppings
Banana
Walnuts
Cocoa nibs
Seeds (flax, pumpkin, sunflower)
You can really add whatever you like on top of your smoothie bowl, be creative.
Directions
1. Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend at highest speed.
2. Pour into a bowl and add all your toppings on. Remember, texture is everything!
3. Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Honestly Alessandra started her journey six years ago when an experience in a detox retreat flipped her world around and changed not only how she ate, but how she behaved, thought, and viewed the world. From there, she immediately embarked on her journey to help and inspire others, all while she continued to study and experience her new world while she gained her degree in nutrition. She continued her passion by using her social media platforms to connect further to her community by sharing her life and knowledge, and has gained and grown a plant-based conscious community within only a year. This led her to start her successful blog www.honestlyalessandra.
