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Last updated: November 28, 2021
One of the most popular and perhaps most hyped up health foods in recent times is spirulina. Some say it’s a fad that will just disappear as time goes by, others say it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I usually don’t get too excited about any particular food item. Instead I prefer to focus on maintaining a healthy balanced diet, eating a wide variety of different foods that all offer their own unique sets of nutrients.
But there’s no denying that spirulina has a rich nutritional profile. So, let’s have a closer look at what spirulina actually is, and what some of the best spirulina powder supplements are.
Top 6 Spirulina Powder Supplements:
Top 6 Spirulina Powder Supplements
Here are 6 of the best spirulina powder supplements available on the market today, based on price, manufacturing process and location, brand reputation, and reviews.
1. Maju Superfoods Spirulina Powder
Maju’s non-GMO spirulina powder is proudly grown in California and is absolutely free from nasties such as pesticides, herbicides and microcystins.
Grown in isolated, purified tanks and hand cultivated to remove impurities, their spirulina powder is produced with great care to ensure there is no chance of contamination. Each batch then goes through a final round of testing to make sure there are no heavy metals or contaminants present in the spirulina powder.
Another advantage of this product is that it does taste better than most other spirulina powder supplements. So if that’s an important decision factor for you, Maju Superfoods may just be a good choice.
You can purchase this quality product in a pot of 32 ounces (907g) or 8 ounces (227g). One serving (1 teaspoon) equates to around 3-4g. Maju Superfoods recommends 1 or 2 servings per day.
2. Nutrex Hawaii Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Powder
Founded in 1999, Nutrex Hawaii is a leading producer of natural micro-algae supplements. They grow, cultivate and harvest their spirulina powder naturally under the warm sun of Hawaii.
All of their products are non-GMO, gluten-, soy- and lactose-free and are also free from pesticides, herbicides and preservatives.
You can purchase this popular spirulina powder supplement as a 16oz bottle or as a bag of 5 pounds. If you choose this product, it’s best to start with the small bottle and upgrade to a bag if you’re happy with your purchase. The bag is much more affordable per ounce than the bottle is.
3. Zhou Nutrition Spirulina Powder
Zhou Nutrition is a food supplements and nutrition company based in Kansas City. Their spirulina powder supplement is manufactured in a remote farm in California located far from cities and highways where the water is mineral-rich and the air is still clean.
This non-GMO and 100% vegetarian supplement is free from pesticides, herbicides and microcystins and is sold in a pot of 6 ounces (170g) of spirulina powder which gives you approximately 48 teaspoons.
4. Micro Ingredients Organic Spirulina Powder
Based in California, Micro Ingredients is a premier raw and pure nutrition ingredients supplier. All of their powder supplements are guaranteed USDA certified organic, non-GMO and free from any additives, preservatives or fillers.
Micro Ingredients provides you with 1 pound of spirulina powder packaged in a re-sealable bag.
5. Natural Elements Organic Spirulina Powder
Manufactured in the USA, this spirulina powder by Natural Elements is USDA certified organic and free from pesticides, herbicides and microcystins. It is also a non-GMO and 100% vegetarian and vegan supplement.
This product comes in a small pot with 168 grams of spirulina powder which equates to approximately 48 servings.
6. Sari Foods Pure Organic Spirulina Powder
Founded in 2012, Sari Foods manufacturers their spirulina powder from natural soda lakes that are free from any form of pollution. The harvested spirulina is gently dried to preserve freshness without the need for chemicals, preservatives or other additives.
This supplement is packaged in a re-sealable bag with 1 pound (454g) worth of organic spirulina powder. Please take note that this product is manufactured in Korea and tested and packaged in the USA.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is an exotic word for blue-green algae that is suitable for consumption by humans.
Typically found in tropical waters with high-salt content, spirulina has been cultivated worldwide for many years due to its strong nutritional profile and health benefits.
Spirulina can be consumed either as a whole food or as a dietary supplement, usually in the form of powder or tablets. As a food, spirulina has quite a strong seaweed flavor which is why some prefer to consume it in powder form.
It’s essential to only consume spirulina that has been grown in clean, non-contaminated waters. The below listed supplements are from reputable brands that make sure their products are clean and thoroughly tested.
Benefits of Spirulina
Why should you consider adding spirulina to your diet? If you have a closer look at its nutritional profile below, it becomes immediately clear that spirulina is perhaps one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world. As a result, its nutritional benefits are plentiful.
With 58g protein per 100g, dried spirulina is one of the most popular sources of protein for vegans. Spirulina is also extremely rich in iron, an essential mineral that assists in various functions in our bodies, such as creating red blood cells.
In addition, dried spirulina is a great source of various B vitamins, in particular vitamins B1 (thiamin) and B2 (riboflavin).
While each B vitamin has its own unique benefits and responsibilities, in general the B vitamins family helps to produce necessary energy from the food that we eat and supports normal nervous system function. B vitamins also play a crucial role in forming red blood cells.
And with a staggering 195mg of magnesium content (55% DV), dried spirulina is a good candidate to be added to my list of favorite magnesium rich foods.
Nutritional Profile of Spirulina
The table below shows the rich nutritional profile in numbers.
Most notably, spirulina is an excellent source of protein, iron, vitamin K, vitamin E and B vitamins.
| Spirulina Nutritional Profile (dried – 100 g) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 290 kcal |
| Protein | 58 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium | 120 mg (12% DV) |
| Iron | 28.5 mg (219% DV) |
| Magnesium | 195 mg (55% DV) |
| Manganese | 1.9 mg (90% DV) |
| Phosphorus | 118 mg (17% DV) |
| Potassium | 1363 mg (29% DV) |
| Sodium | 1048 mg (70% DV) |
| Zinc | 2 mg (21% DV) |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 2.38 mg (207% DV) |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 3.68 mg (306% DV) |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 12.82 mg (85% DV) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.367 mg (28% DV) |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 94 µg (24%) |
| Vitamin C | 10.1 mg (12%) |
| Vitamin E | 5 mg (33%) |
| Vitamin K | 25.5 µg (24%) |
| Sources: USDA, Wikipedia | |
Final Thoughts
Spirulina and turmeric powder are my two favorite supplements that I find worth buying. Spirulina has an incredibly rich nutritional profile and in powder form it’s very easy to add to smoothies.
But with any so-called “superfood”, moderation is key. There is absolutely no point in overdosing yourself with a popular food such as spirulina. Your diet should consist of a wide variety of different foods that all offer their own nutrients and benefits.
A spirulina powder supplement can be a welcome addition to a balanced diet, as a way to add nutrients to your diet that you would otherwise miss out on.
Spirulina is the best superfood on earth with a very high percentage of protein. Many people don’t know why spirulina is a superfood and your post is providing the answer. It will make people aware and make them use it. Thanks for sharing this post!
Hi, I use spirulina (2 spoons in my miso soup) but it is from Frontier co op. I was thinking to switch to this one you talk about, but I have never heard before. What can you tell me about Frontier co op? I have been taking spirulina daily for about 5 or 6 years, I rely on this, but like you said balance is a key. Thanks for your fast response, Maggie.
Hi Maggie, I’ve never used spirulina powder from Frontier so I can’t help you with that. But good on you for using spirulina powder so consistently and for such a long time too! Two spoons per day sounds a bit excessive though, I think you could easily lower that to one spoon per day, or every other day. Donna.