Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that’s packed with nutrients like B vitamins, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. It’s often considered a superfood, but when’s the best time to take it—morning or night? The spirulina diet became a trend in the 1970s and came back in 1995. It’s based on the belief that spirulina’s chlorophyll can detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system, helping with issues like allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and some cancers like breast cancer. Many people report health improvements when they take spirulina regularly.
Taking spirulina in the morning can energize you for the day, while taking it at night may boost your immune system before sleep. You can really take it any time, as long as you stick to the recommended dosage. However, if you’re looking for specific benefits, timing might matter.
If you love green foods like matcha, tea, juices, and supplements, spirulina fits right in as a common supplement in North America. It’s promoted for its protein, vitamins, minerals, especially iron, and many use it for weight loss or athletic performance. Personally, I take spirulina for its vitamins and minerals, being prone to deficiencies, and I’m also intrigued by the benefits of sea vegetables.
Consider taking spirulina in the morning if you want these benefits: If you feel tired and sluggish upon waking, mix a spoonful of spirulina into juice or water. It’s rich in chlorophyll and can help with constipation by flushing out toxins and relaxing muscles. Eating more high-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, beans, dark leafy greens, whole grains, and lentils will also help.
Morning spirulina can also reduce your chances of catching a cold or the flu since it has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties to combat viruses that cause upper respiratory infections. It also boosts your immune system with vitamins and minerals like B12, C, folic acid, beta-carotene, zinc, and iron, crucial for immunity. Starting spirulina early in the spring can strengthen your immunity for the whole season. If you do fall ill, continue taking spirulina and ensure a healthy diet and plenty of water to help flush toxins.
Spirulina is high in phycocyanin, a pigment that revitalizes the body and promotes younger-looking skin. Morning doses can give your skin a healthy glow. Also, a teaspoon daily with juice or food offers protein without too many calories. For instance, a tablespoon of spirulina contains 27 grams of protein compared to just 3 grams from beef. It’s also richer in B vitamins than beef, keeping you energized all day.
For nighttime benefits, spirulina can aid in sleep by helping your body produce melatonin, a hormone that induces sleepiness. If you struggle with sleep, spirulina’s protein can also strengthen your body for restful sleep. For example, one tablespoon provides 15 grams of protein, whereas a steak of similar size gives only 8 grams. Taking spirulina at night may also help your body recover from workouts overnight, making you feel refreshed in the morning.
Taking spirulina 30 minutes before bed may reduce cortisol and stress hormones, promoting better sleep. It’s known to lower cortisol levels, leaving you calmer throughout the day. If you face insomnia, spirulina at night might naturally enhance your sleep pattern without the need for sleeping pills.
For all the benefits, consider taking spirulina both in the morning and at night. This approach can reduce cortisol, improve mood, lower blood pressure, support sleep, boost the immune system, and combat free radicals, which can cause aging diseases. A simple method is to take a teaspoon in the morning and another at night to enjoy spirulina’s full range of benefits. You could also try blending spirulina into a smoothie with bananas, berries, ginger, honey, low-fat yogurt, and ice, ensuring all ingredients are gluten-free and dairy-free if needed. Taking spirulina twice a day can provide ample protein to help maintain health and strength.
