20/03/2023
Benefits of chlorella:
1.
It's rich in vitamins and minerals.
Antioxidants help combat free-radical-driven oxidative stress, and chlorella is rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals. "Chlorella, with its bright green color, is a source of antioxidants including vitamin K, vitamin C, and phytochemicals such as lutein," explains Julie Stefanski, RDN, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.
But that's just the beginning. Chlorella is also loaded with B vitamins, which can often be difficult to get on a plant-based diet. "It also has high mineral content in iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and low levels of copper and zinc," adds Leah Johansen, M.D., staff physician at Lifeforce.
2.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
"For our bodies, [chlorella] works via modulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and COX-2," explains Johansen. In layman's terms, this vegetable has anti-inflammatory properties that can help balance our inflammatory response, which is critical for things like immune resilience, cardiometabolic health, and more.*
3.
It's a source of plant-based protein.
When you think of plant-based protein, it's likely your mind goes to beans and soy products, but chlorella and other sea vegetables (depending on the source and how much you eat per serving) can actually offer some of this important macronutrient, too.
"Chlorella is frequently promoted as a vegan source of protein, but it's important to look at the quantity of protein you'll receive from a supplement," notes Stefanski. Keep in mind that you should be aiming for about 0.36 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day.
4.
It can support your immune system.
"This microalgae containing alpha-glucans, similar to beta-glucans found in mushroom species, has immune-modulating effects,"* notes Johansen.
Although more studies are needed to definitively state the full effectiveness of chlorella on immune health, one smaller study1 revealed that after an eight-week period of consuming just 5 grams of this vegetable, participants showed higher markers of immune activity.*
5.
It can help you naturally detox.
Contrary to popular belief within diet culture, a healthy body is actually perfectly capable of detoxing itself without the help of juices and temporary cleanses, and chlorella is a natural ingredient that may help the process along as it binds to heavy metals within the body.*
That being said, it's because chlorella binds to these heavy metals that the ingredient may have a more significant impact on the environment. "Chlorella's ability to bind to heavy metals makes it a possible source of environmental contaminants, so it's important to choose a reputable company which controls the sourcing of the algae and manufacturing process," warns Stefanski. The organic variety of chlorella is also recommended to ensure a high-quality ingredient source.
6.
It can promote longevity.
A buzzy word in the health space, longevity indicates a longer duration of life. As there are multiple forms of chlorella, "some species contain significant amounts of astaxanthin, the red pigment in the carotenoids found in algae and pink-red color in salmon," explains Johansen. This is unique because astaxanthin is an antioxidant that has been shown to support longevity2.
