When it comes to chlorella vs spirulina, which superfood should you try? We’ll look at the similarities and differences between the two below.
Chlorella vs. Spirulina: What’s the Difference?
Chlorella and spirulina are both blue-green microalgae that are widely regarded as nutrient-rich superfoods. Both chlorella and spirulina are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants. As dietary supplements, you can find them as ingredients in green powders, tablets, capsules, and more. Chlorella and spirulina are both low in calories and appropriate for anyone following a low-carb diet; they’re also both good sources of plant-based iron.
But while chlorella and spirulina have a lot in common, they aren’t the same, and understanding the unique nutritional profiles and potential health benefits of each can help you be better equipped to reach your health goals.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a type of green algae that only grows in freshwater. It’s often used to treat iron deficiency during pregnancy. As a supplement, some evidence suggests that regular chlorella supplementation may decrease total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels – both in healthy people and in people with elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Chlorella also contains high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids with antioxidant properties that may benefit overall health and help prevent certain diseases. Chlorella has higher levels of vitamin A, chlorophyll, and omega-3s than spirulina, and is better known for its potent detoxifying properties.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green type of algae that grows in saltwater and freshwater alike. It’s a good source of minerals like copper, iron, and magnesium, which supports everything from muscle movements to energy production to cardiovascular health. Spirulina is high in phycocyanin, a plant protein that provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Spirulina has higher levels of protein, B vitamins, and vitamins E and K compared to chlorella.
Ultimately, while both chlorella and spirulina have specific nutritional benefits, when it comes to chlorella vs. spirulina, there’s no bad option. Both are great superfood sources of vitamins, protein, minerals, antioxidants, and more.
What Does Spirulina Taste Like?
Before you try a spirulina powder, you might be wondering: what does spirulina taste like? Some describe the taste as earthy, green, or like a sip of lake water. Some don’t mind the taste, while others initially find it bitter or slightly off-putting.
What does spirulina taste like in a smoothie? If you don’t love the taste of spirulina on its own, blending it in a delicious smoothie is an easy way to mask the flavor.
Spirulina Smoothie Recipe
An easy and delicious way to get the benefits of spirulina is by making a spirulina smoothie. Since it’s easy to add spirulina powder to any smoothie or juice, you can take your favorite breakfast, protein, or greens smoothie and simply add a scoop of spirulina powder! If you need some ideas, try this simple ingredient spirulina smoothie recipe to start:
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup sliced cucumber
- ¾-1 cup light coconut milk
- 1 cup spinach or chopped kale
- 1 tablespoon hemp seed, chia seeds, or vegan protein powder
- 1 teaspoon spirulina powder
Directions
Blend all ingredients until smoothie. Serve immediately and enjoy!
What spirulina powder should you use?
For a boost of pure spirulina, try Spirulina Organic Pure Powder from NOW Foods. Just add one teaspoon to this (or any) smoothie, and enjoy a powerful boost of GLA, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin B12, and vegetable protein.
Or, for another option, boost your spirulina smoothie with Organic Super Greens from Ancient Nutrition. Organic Super Greens is a nutrient-dense formula of over 25 superfoods, including probiotics, enzymes, adaptogenic herbs, super fruits, grasses, and greens (like spirulina). Just mix one scoop into your smoothie or juice and enjoy.
If smoothies aren’t your thing, that’s okay, too. You can add a boost of green nutrition to your daily routine with chlorella or spirulina tablets instead. Chlorella and spirulina tablets make it easy to get the health benefits of each microalgae every day.
What chlorella supplement should you use?
One choice worth considering is Chlorella 1000 Mg tablets from NOW Foods, a natural detox supplement that uses high-quality chlorella with the cell wall broken down to aid in digestibility and absorption.
If you can’t decide between chlorella and spirulina tablets, you don’t have to. Try an option that combines the two, like Phyto Greens Capsule from Genestra, a broad spectrum phytonutrient formulation that provides naturally occurring phytonutrients and antioxidants from spirulina, chlorella, and a wide variety of organic grains and grasses.
When it comes to chlorella vs spirulina, there are many reasons to try each one in a dietary supplement. For all your nutritional and supplement needs, Simply Nutrients has the solution for you.
