Spirulina is the biomass of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. It has three species namely Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima. Arthrospira is cultivated around the world and is used as a dietary supplement or whole food. It is used as a food source in some parts of Mexico and Africa. Both humans and animals can consume Spirulina. Let’s find out the health benefits and side effects of Spirulina.  10 amazing health benefits of spirulina Rich in many nutrients Spirulina grows in fresh water and salty water also. It is packed with protein, numerous types of vitamins and minerals, healthy polyunsaturated fats, antioxidants, C-phycocyanin, and beta-carotene.  From 1 tablespoon or 7 g of dried spirulina powder, you will get protein: 4 g, thiamin: 14% of the Daily Value, riboflavin: 20% of the DV, niacin: 6% of the DV, copper: 47% of the DV, iron: 11% of the DV. It also has suitable amounts of magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Moreover, Spirulina is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.  Read More: 14 Top Anti-aging Foods to Look Younger If you can experience oxidative damage, it can harm your cells and can drive chronic inflammation, which ultimately contributes to cancer and other diseases.  Spirulina is an amazing source of antioxidants. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Spirulina can protect against oxidative damage.  The main active component of spirulina is called phycocyanin, which is an antioxidant. It gives spirulina its unique blue-green color. Phycocyanin can fight free radicals and block the production of molecules that promote inflammation, providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.  Read More: Top Traditional Bangladeshi Foods You Must Try Fights allergies Nowadays, many people are suffering from health issues like irritations of allergies that mostly happen due to dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and many more. The most common symptoms of allergies are a stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat. Some studies on animals have shown that spirulina helps to stop the release of histamine, which is mainly responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Studies on Human also show that spirulina consumption improved symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and nasal discharge when compared to the placebo group. Detoxification arsenic The problem of chronic arsenic toxicity is present worldwide, especially in India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan, where citizens are consuming a high level of arsenic in their drinking water.  Read More: Beetroot: Nutrition, Health Benefits, Doses, Side Effects The effects of arsenic toxicity can be ruinous including abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.  When the affected patients took a spirulina extract that is incorporated with zinc, they experienced a 47% decrease in arsenic in their bodies.  Besides, the chlorophyll available in spirulina helps remove toxins from the blood and strengthens the immune system also.  Lowers blood pressure Phycocyanin is a pigment that is found in the spirulina and can lower blood pressure. According to Japanese researchers, consuming blue-green algae changes endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome and helps lower blood pressure.  Read More: 14 Top Rice Varieties in Bangladesh Lower cholesterol Many risk factors are related to an increased risk of heart disease which causes death. Spirulina can lower total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and help increase HDL (good cholesterol). A study shows that spirulina can notably improve these markers in people with metabolic syndrome and related disorders. Anti-cancer properties Although it needs more studies, some proof says that spirulina has anti-cancer properties and it can reduce cancer occurrence and tumor size.  Spirulina’s effects on oral cancer have been extremely well studied.  Fights anemia Anemia is a condition that happens due to the reduction in hemoglobin or red blood cells in your blood. The main causes of anemia include nutrient deficiencies, genetic disorders, and chronic inflammation.  Read More: Best Foods for Hair Growth: What to Eat, Drink and Avoid Especially, in older adults, anemia may lead to prolonged feelings of weakness and fatigue. A study shows that spirulina supplements can increase the hemoglobin content of red blood cells and improve immune function. 

Beetroot’s scientific name is Beta vulgaris. It is a root vegetable. It has numerous health benefits because of the huge amounts of phytochemical and nutritional components available in them. So, it is called functional food. Let’s check here the health benefits, uses, and side effects of beetroot.  Vitamins and Nutrients of Beetroot Beetroot is a colorful vegetable that has carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, and various types of vitamins and minerals also. Per 100 grams of beetroot, you will get Calcium 8%, Vitamin C 4%, Iron 5%, Vitamin B6 5%, energy 43 kcal, Carbohydrates 9.56g, Proteins 1.61 g, Fibre 2.8 g, total fat 0.17g, Calcium 16g, Iron 0.8g, Magnesium 23 mg, Sodium 40mg, Potassium 325 mg, Phosphorous 40mg, Vitamin C 4.9mg, Thiamin 0.031mg, Riboflavin 0.4 mg, Folate 109 ¼ g, Vitamin B-6: 0.067 mg. Read More: Superfood Moringa Powder: Know Its Health Benefits, Side Effects. Top 10 Health Benefits of Beetroot We have already got the nutritional value of beetroot, let's check out now the top health benefits of Beetroot. Lower blood pressure Beetroot naturally occurs in nitrates which are diverted into nitric oxide in the human body. This nitric oxide can relax and expand blood vessels and so helps to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. In fact, beetroot is an excellent source of blood pressure by lowering blood pressure within a couple of hours. Grows stamina The nitrates in beet get converted into nitric oxide in the human body which helps to reduce the potential amount of oxygen. This oxygen can be expended for low-intensity exercises and also increases tolerance to high-intensity exercises. Research has shown that people who eat beet juice just before taking exercise are able to exercise for a longer period of time.   Good for heart patients Prominent amounts of triglycerides in your body cause consequential problems to the heart. Beetroot helps reduce triglycerides and cholesterol by increasing the amount of HDL cholesterol, namely good cholesterol. Besides, beetroot decreases the level of homocysteine as it contains the nutrient betaine. So, you can prevent the risk of heart attacks and strokes by taking beet regularly.  Reduce birth defects Beets are packed with Vitamin B folates and so it helps to form a baby’s spinal column. So you can add beetroot to your diet if you are pregnant as folate deficiency can lead to a number of complications including defects in the neural tubes and ultimately defects in the brain, spine, or spinal cord. However, you need to consult with your doctor when you are pregnant.  Prevent cancer The pigment betacyanins which are available in beetroot can prevent the growth of cancer cells. Beetroots are great to prevent colon, lung, and skin cancer. Meats are preserved using nitrates and the consumption of these meats may result in the formation of nitrosamine compounds in the body which ultimately leads to cancer. In this case, beetroot juice may reduce the cell mutations caused by these compounds. Read more: Sweet Potato Health Benefits: The Organic Affordable Super Food Beetroot juice for dementia With age, the blood flow to certain areas of the brain decreases which can lead to loss of cognition and eventual dementia. Studies have shown that drinking beetroot juice can improve the supply of oxygen to your brain and slows the progression of dementia as beetroots have high nitrate concentration.