You might grimace at the thought of eating algae, but have you ever added spirulina to your smoothie at your favorite juice spot? (Some of you reading this have no idea what we are talking about.) Well, spirulina is algae too, just like chlorella. Chlorella is a form of algae with a myriad of health benefits. Algaes like chlorella are superfoods full of protein, greens, vitamins, and minerals that boost your immune system, cleanse your body of toxins and boost your energy. Now we have your attention.
What is Chlorella?
While the word “chlorella” might not sound all that appetizing, chlorella has nothing to do with chlorine: it’s actually a superfood sneakily packed with nutrients and tons of health benefits. Chlorella is a single-celled green algae that packs a major punch of nutrients. Fun fact: there are actually more than 30 different species of chlorella! Chlorella is a supplement that is available in several forms. It’s also an ingredient in Bonny, which is how you know it’s good.
All the Cool Health Benefits of Chlorella
Chlorella is a superfood because of how many nutrients are packed inside this algae, including:
Protein: Toss that gross protein powder with the chalky taste away! Chlorella is at least 50% protein and it’s plant-based. It contains all nine essential amino acids.
Vitamin B12: Some varieties of chlorella also contain Vitamin B12.
Iron: Chlorella can be an excellent source of iron.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps you absorb iron, and is also present in chlorella.
Other Antioxidants: Chlorella contains several compounds that are considered antioxidants, including chlorophyll, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. Antioxidants help fight chronic diseases.
Other Vitamins and Minerals: Small amounts of magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, folic acid, and other B vitamins are in chlorella.
Omega-3s: Just like any other algae, chlorella contains some omega-3s.
Fiber: In large amounts, chlorella can be an excellent source of fiber.
Additional Chlorella Benefits
There are several benefits to chlorella due to all of the fabulous vitamins and minerals it is packed with, that can help you grow out your hair, detox your body, and improve your digestion.
Boosts Energy
Chlorella, a nutrient-dense algae that can help boost cardiovascular health. You’re ready for your HIIT training now or maybe you just want to beat the afternoon slump.
Supports Your Detoxification Organs
If you’ve heard of chlorella at all, you might have heard the news that it can help you “detox” your body. A lot of our favorite things, including alcohol, coffee, non-organic food, and even cosmetics (not to mention city pollution) contain toxins that strain our bodies. However, chlorella supports our detoxification organs (say hi to your kidney, gallbladder, and your liver!) by helping draw toxins from your body.
Clears the Skin
Vitamins B12, B13, and biotin in chlorella help our skin become healthy and vibrant. Plus, one of the main reasons we break out (ugh, pimples and zits are the worst) and suffer from other skin issues is because of toxins that build up in our bodies and then burst out of our skin. Because chlorella supports our detoxification organs, like the liver and kidneys, by drawing toxins out of your body, it can help you get the clear skin you’ve always wanted. Plus, healthy digestion helps boost your skin health, too.
Supports Hair Growth and Thickness
Chlorella can help you get that luscious mane straight from a Pantene commercial. That’s because it is a natural whole food source of biotin. Biotin is a vitamin that many women take to boost their beauty routine, but it is found naturally in chlorella.
Helps You Get Strong Nails, Eyebrows, and Long Eyelashes
Ditch the lash extensions and add some chlorella to your routine instead to help you achieve beautiful nails, eyebrows, and lashes. Chlorella is full of proteins that our bodies use to make our nails, eyebrows, and lashes shine.
Boosts Your Immune System
These days, who couldn’t use an extra boost to our immune systems? Chlorella has been shown to enhance immune response. In one study, men produced more antibodies when taking chlorella.
Improves Cholesterol
The nutrients in chlorella (like fiber, carotenoids, niacin, and antioxidants) might help lower your cholesterol levels. In fact, studies have shown that taking small amounts of chlorella daily lowered total and LDL cholesterol along with triglycerides in people with high blood pressure.
Supports Good Digestion
At Bonny, we are all about that digestion! Chlorella supports your digestion by balancing gut flora and normalizing the “good” bacteria in your gut. This can help with bloating, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.
Keeps Blood Pressure Steady
We can’t control the stressors in yourlifethatmight raise your blood pressure. (Kids? Work emails that could have been meetings? We hear you.) But we can tell you that chlorella has been shown to lower blood pressure. As one study suggests, the proteins found within chlorella may help your arteries from hardening, leading to improved blood pressure.
Improve Aerobic Endurance
Get your Jane Fonda on! One study has looked at chlorella’s effect on aerobic endurance and showed a positive effect. This is due to the structure of groups of amino acids found within chlorella which improve aerobic performance.
Ease Depression and Anxiety
Chlorella is a natural source of Vitamin B12, niacin, and thiamine, which promote healthy psychological function. A 2015 study found that taking chlorella was an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for people with anxiety and depression.
Other Potential Benefits of Chlorella Supplements
There are other potential benefits that have not been studied extensively, but have been associated with chlorella:
- Promotes eye health: Chlorella contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are two carotenoids that protect your eyes and lower the risk of macular degeneration (an eye disease that can cause vision loss).
- Supports liver health: Chlorella supplements have been shown to improve markers of liver health in people with liver disease.
- Relieves PMS: Put down that Midol. There is some anecdotal evidence that shows that chlorella relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Try Chlorella in Bonny Today!
If you want to reap all the wonderful benefits of chlorella, it’s time to try Matcha Magic with Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Chlorella to boost your energy. Bonny is an all-natural, plant-based fiber supplement with adaptogens that help you combat the stressor’s in your life. Fancy fiber for your gut.
Bonny comes in four delicious flavors that you will crave daily: Amplified Apple Pie, Berry Beauty, Strawberry Serenity and Matcha Magic.
As always, we wish you pleasant poops.