In Their Quest for More Nutritious Coffee, People Are Adding an Ingredient That Actually Tastes Awful: Spirulina

In recent years, a surprising trend has emerged: adding supplements to foods. Protein-rich yogurts, cheese, and even ice cream are great examples of this. In many cases, this is unnecessary, especially for products that already contain a significant amount of protein.

Within this trend, there’s a sub-trend focused on turning coffee into a superfood. With this goal in mind, many coffee lovers are starting to add spirulina to their beverages.

Spirulina. Adding protein to coffee can be beneficial. For instance, creating a smoothie with protein, banana, and coffee provides a wealth of nutrients from both the protein and fruit, along with the benefits of coffee. This is a simple recipe you can make at home to boost your protein intake.

Protein supplements are becoming a staple in our diets, but what exactly is spirulina? Spirulina is a greenish, spiral-shaped microalgae that many see as the new “superfood” when processed into powder. Numerous recipes incorporate spirulina.

Per 100 grams (though this is an unrealistic daily amount), it offers 57 grams of protein, 23.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.6 grams of fiber. Moreover, spirulina is rich in B vitamins and contains essential minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and iodine, as well as vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate.

Recipes. Spirulina is a beneficial supplement that can be easily incorporated into various foods, preparations, and sauces, as long as it’s not used to replace other essential foods in your diet.

One simple way to enjoy spirulina is by adding it to your latte. Instead of seeking a high protein intake, the focus should be on supplementing vitamins and minerals. In addition to its nutritional benefits, spirulina has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help regulate glucose levels, improve vascular function, and promote a healthy intestinal flora.

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Caution. There are two important considerations. First, you should obtain spirulina from sources that guarantee its safety. Research indicates benefits from daily doses between 1 and 5 grams. However, spirulina is derived from the ocean, which raises concerns about potential contamination with heavy metals. Additionally, it may not be suitable for individuals with hiccups or hyperthyroidism.

The second concern involves marketing. Brands often label spirulina as a superfood. For example, Pret a Manger emphasizes the use of natural and organic components in its food offerings, particularly sandwiches. This might not be necessarily true.

Sugar rush. Aisling Piggot, a dietician and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association, told The Telegraph that while spirulina can be a good supplement for many, Pret’s spirulina coffee isn’t a healthy choice.

The issue lies not in the microalgae itself, but in the fact that this coffee contains 19.4 grams of sugar per cup. This is more than a can of regular soft drink. As such, consumers should examine the ingredients used in the coffee. If spirulina is included, that’s fine. If the high sugar content is intended to mask the flavor, the final product isn’t healthy.

Trend vs. reality. Consumers shouldn’t get swept up in the touted benefits of some foods without reading the label. Regardless of the potential advantages of spirulina or protein, commercially prepared drinks can often contain excessive amounts of sugar that overshadow any health benefits.

Coffee and chai latte with spirulina may have an appealing blue aesthetic for Instagram. Still, the earthy and strong texture of spirulina can dominate the flavor, potentially overpowering other ingredients.

Image | Supliful

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