{"id":3405,"date":"2021-02-12T17:47:41","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T17:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/?post_type=health&p=3405"},"modified":"2021-02-12T17:47:51","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T17:47:51","slug":"algae-protein-powder","status":"publish","type":"health","link":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/health-fitness\/vegan-protein-powder\/algae-protein-powder\/","title":{"rendered":"Algae Protein Powder"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you think of algae you might well picture a thick soup of green gunk overtaking an under-maintained garden pond. But in the world of health foods and supplements, algae \u2013 and spirulina in particular \u2013 is seen as something of a wonder food. It is debatable whether algae protein powder is used as a supplement to assist muscle growth and repair or whether it is seen by most fans (and vegans in particular) as an all-round health supplement. Indeed, many people choose to consume spirulina in capsule or tablet form rather than powder, for the micronutrients, rather than the macro (protein).<\/p>\n
As we explain in our article about spirulina<\/a>, there are numerous potentially beneficial nutrients within this blue-green algae (technically, it is a cyanobacteria). Also, though completely vegan friendly, algae are not actually plants (though they do rely on photosynthesis). We won\u2019t go into the details here though, but suffice to say, no animals are used, harmed or killed to make spirulina or other pure algae protein products and powders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When focussing on spirulina, which is by far the most common algae protein powder available, the nutritional benefits are plentiful.<\/p>\n As well as being high in protein, it contains around 60g of protein per 100g with minimal processing (basically just being dried), which makes it the best of the surprisingly large number of high protein vegan foods<\/a> out there. Within this protein is included all essential amino acids, with at least 3g per 100g of each of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that are linked to muscular growth and tissue repair.<\/p>\n Looking beyond the protein content, and spirulina contains very good quantities of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and iron<\/a>, with significant amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), manganese and magnesium, with some vitamin E and vitamin K thrown in for good measure. There is various research that points towards the anti-inflammatory effects of spirulina<\/a> due to the antioxidants it contains. There are suggestions that it could also reduce cholesterol<\/a>, though more research is needed to confirm this.<\/p>\n One of the biggest benefits of algae, however, does not relate to the individual consuming it, but more to the whole world. It is incredibly environmentally sustainable and they can be cultivated cheaply in \u201craceway ponds\u201d containing mineral-rich water with very little in the way of other inputs<\/p>\n As they are autotrophic, they essentially make their own food, so coupled with the energy they take from the sun through photosynthesis, it is possible to produce spirulina with hardly any environmental impact. This will depend on the method of drying (as some producers use hot air while others use a freeze-drying method or even sunlight), but spirulina is certainly more environmentally sustainable than the main plant-based protein powders<\/strong>, and much better than anything like whey that has come from dairy (and hence has relied on cows and the environmental impact dairy farming has<\/a>).<\/p>\n There have been some safety concerns raised<\/a> about spirulina based on products that have been contaminated with toxins called microcystins, which could cause various symptoms, including gastrointestinal problems and even liver damage (if consumed over a long period). There are also concerns that algae in general can contain high quantities of heavy metals that could be problematic if consumed. But this tends to refer to algae grown in non-controlled environments from what we can ascertain.<\/p>\n From a protein perspective, the main drawback for those seeking the maximum dose of protein is that spirulina falls a little behind the likes of pea protein isolate<\/a> and soy protein isolate<\/a> in terms of protein content. But, as said, algae protein tends to contain a greater quantity of other potentially beneficial nutrients.<\/p>\n As you can see above, spirulina contains significantly less protein per 100g of powder than whey protein powder (and indeed various other plant protein isolates). It contains much less fat (and saturated fat) than whey, more fibre and more carbohydrates, but they are mainly non-sugar carbs and have a low glycaemic index.<\/p>\nBenefits of Algae Protein Powder<\/h2>\n
Protein<\/h3>\n
Vitamins & Minerals<\/h3>\n
Environmentally Sustainable<\/h3>\n
Drawbacks of Algae Protein Powder<\/h2>\n
Protein Content Is Lower<\/h3>\n
Distinctive Taste<\/h3>\n
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\n \nTypical Values<\/th>\n Naturya Organic Spirulina Powder (per 100g)<\/th>\n Naturya Organic Spirulina Powder (per 10g serving)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Energy<\/td>\n 1462kJ \/ 345kcal<\/td>\n 146kJ \/ 35kcal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fat<\/td>\n 0.9g<\/td>\n 0.1g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Saturates<\/td>\n 0.4g<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carbohydrate<\/td>\n 15g<\/td>\n 1.5g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sugars<\/td>\n 0.5g<\/td>\n 0.1g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fibre<\/td>\n 3.5g<\/td>\n 0.4g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Protein<\/td>\n 67g<\/td>\n 6.7g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Salt<\/td>\n 1.2g<\/td>\n 0.1g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Whey Protein Isolate Nutritional Data<\/h3>\n
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\n \nTypical Values<\/th>\n Impact Whey Protein Powder (per 100g)<\/th>\n Impact Protein Powder (per 25g serving)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Energy<\/td>\n 1740kJ \/ 412kcal<\/td>\n 435kJ \/ 103kcal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fat<\/td>\n 7.5g<\/td>\n 1.9g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Saturates<\/td>\n 5.0g<\/td>\n 1.3g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carbohydrate<\/td>\n 4.0g<\/td>\n 1.0g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sugars<\/td>\n 4.0g<\/td>\n 1.0g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fibre<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Protein<\/td>\n 82g<\/td>\n 21g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Salt<\/td>\n 0.5g<\/td>\n 0.13g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Algae Protein Powder v Whey Protein Powder<\/h3>\n
Selecting the Best Algae Protein Powder<\/h2>\n