As an athlete, physical activity isn’t something you do just to stay healthy—it’s what moves you, day in and day out. But to keep pushing your limits, you need the right fuel. That’s where fresh spirulina comes in!
This powerhouse superfood has quickly become a favorite among athletes around the globe, and for good reason.
Read on to learn more about why athletes love fresh spirulina, how it can help you take your fitness to a whole new level, and the easiest ways to incorporate it into your diet.
What is Fresh Spirulina?
Fresh spirulina is a little-known superfood that’s been used by humans for thousands of years—dating as far back as the ancient Aztecs. Biologically speaking, spirulina is an algae that’s jam-packed with essential nutrients like:
- Iron
- Protein
- Magnesium
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
What are the Main Health Benefits of Fresh Spirulina for Athletes?
The main health benefits of fresh spirulina for athletes are that it’s packed with protein, can boost your post-workout recovery, is rich in antioxidants, and can increase your energy and endurance naturally.
Let’s dive into the data and science behind these benefits!
Packed with Protein
According to the USDA, fresh spirulina contains about 6g of protein per 100g serving. This is superior even to beef based on laboratory research!
Spirulina is one of the only plant-based options for getting this much protein in your diet. It’s a great way to give yourself clean, long-lasting energy for any workout or sport. It’s also a solid source of essential fatty acids and beta-carotene.
As an athlete, what you put into your body matters. It’s easy to find yourself frustrated by balancing caloric intake with nutrient levels. Fresh spirulina helps you take the headache out of fueling up.
Boosts Post-Workout Recovery
A landmark recent study found that fresh spirulina can help your muscles recover more effectively after physical activity.
Let’s pause here to talk about recovery after a workout. Of course, you know it’s important. But it’s easy to underestimate the power of recovery. After all, how many times have you gone to the gym the day after a hard workout… even though you knew you should’ve taken a rest day?
Fresh spirulina can give your muscles the nutritional boost to speed up your post-workout recovery—especially if you aren’t currently getting enough antioxidants in your diet.
Rich in Antioxidants
Not sure what, exactly, antioxidants do? Here are some of the biggest potential benefits of an antioxidant-rich diet:
- Reduced risk of certain cancers heart disease
- Lower your chances of AMD (permanent vision loss) by up to 25%
- Prevent free radical damage to your tissue and organs
Basically, antioxidants do a lot more for your body than you may realize. And studies show that fresh spirulina is one of the best options for getting more antioxidants in your diet.
But perhaps the biggest benefit as an athlete is that all these antioxidants can seriously enhance your sports performance.
Increase Energy and Endurance Naturally
Ultimately, your top priorities as an athlete likely come down to two things: combatting fatigue and increasing endurance. Whether you’re gearing up for a competitive sport or a serious workout, you want to give it your all—and then some.
Clinical trials show that fresh spirulina can help you do exactly that. Best of all, the boost you’ll get to your energy and endurance is completely natural.
If you’ve ever tried to exercise or compete after chugging a sugary energy drink, you’re familiar with the downsides, like skyrocketing blood pressure and caffeine crashes at the worst possible time. But with fresh spirulina, you can say goodbye to all of that.
How Does Spirulina Compare to Other Superfoods for Athletes?
Compared to other superfoods for athletes, spirulina is a top choice—in fact, NASA uses it as a nutritional supplement during space missions. Let’s take a look at how fresh spirulina stacks up versus other superfoods.
Spirulina vs. Kale
It’s no secret that kale is nutrient-dense. Rich in antioxidants and iron, kale is nutritionally similar to fresh spirulina in many ways.
The thing is, kale lacks any meaningful protein content. Plus, ounce-for-ounce, you’ll get more vitamins and minerals from spirulina than kale.
Spirulina vs. Quinoa
Quinoa has long been hailed as a superfood thanks to being a complete protein and a great source of fiber. But much like kale, it just isn’t as nutritionally dense as fresh spirulina.
Plus, a currently ongoing study is looking to prove once and for all that fresh spirulina aids in immediate muscle recovery far better than quinoa.
Spirulina vs. Acai Berries
Acai berries are popular among athletes due to their high antioxidant content and other purported benefits, like boosting the immune system.
While acai berries can be great for your overall health, they don’t contain nearly as much protein or as many vitamins and minerals as fresh spirulina.
How Should Athletes Incorporate Fresh Spirulina into Their Diet?
Athletes can incorporate fresh spirulina into their diet simply by adding it to the meals and snacks they already enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite options:
- Popsicle – Eat as-is, or use popsicle molds, fruit juice, and vegetable juice to make your own custom treat
- Sauces and dips – Mix fresh spirulina into hummus, guacamole, salad dressing, or pesto
- Smoothies – Add a serving to your favorite smoothie recipe (do not blend unless you’ll be drinking the smoothie immediately)
- Oatmeal and smoothie bowls – Whether you prefer sweet or savory bowls, fresh spirulina is an easy addition
- Juices and drinks – Not into smoothies? Stir fresh spirulina into beverages like coconut water, green juice, or cold tea instead
Fuel Your Fitness with Fresh Spirulina
All in all, early research shows that fresh spirulina is perhaps one of the best superfoods for athletes. The protein content alone—a whopping 60%—makes it a better choice than most vegetables, and even steak (26% protein).
Plus, adding fresh spirulina to your diet is as simple as incorporating it into your favorite recipes.
Ready to see for yourself why athletes love fresh spirulina? Buy yours today!