How to Sell the Benefits of Spirulina Powder
When selling a product that affects consumer health, you, as the seller, must be fully educated on what happens when you take the product in question. For example, if you are considering selling spirulina powder, you will need to consider the health benefits and potential side effects.
Under Australian law, it is required that you do not relay any misleading information to your customer, making it fundamental that you accurately research spirulina powder benefits and how it can affect the human body.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about spirulina supplements and powder to ensure you are in the right place to start selling to consumers.
What is spirulina powder?
Before Spirulina is turned into a powder, it is a blue green algae that grows in fresh and salt water. While this may not sound impressive right now, Spirulina has a large number of health benefits due to the rich nutritional value it provides when consumed. These nutrients include; vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, copper, iron, and magnesium.
Many believe Spirulina is one of the healthiest foods on the planet due to its high mineral and nutritional content. Once Spirulina has been taken from its water climate, mud and any unwanted components are extracted to ensure it is in its purest form. From here, the blue green algae is dried down to create spirulina powder. In its powder form, Spirulina is said to have a 62% protein concentration.
Spirulina is used in accordance with many health issues or just for daily consumption for various people who are health conscious. The superfood even made its way to space as a dietary supplement for astronauts!
What are the health benefits of spirulina powder?
The introduction to spirulina supplements is already impressive, but consumers will need to know how the high nutritional value will affect their health, especially if they have any health concerns. Below, we will detail all the benefits of Spirulina with a brief explanation of how this is the case.
Potent antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties
Antioxidants are fundamental for keeping our immune system healthy and functioning the way it should be. Without getting too technical, our stable autonomy should be made up of equal pairs of protons. When molecules are split, our electron pairs follow suit, leaving one electron to fend for itself. This then forms free radicals, which are linked to aging and other health diseases.
The good news is that antioxidants can be used to neutralize and fight free radicals, and they instead donate an electron, so our autonomy is once again made up of electron pairs.
The active antioxidant component of Spirulina is phycocyanin, which is also the substance responsible for the coloration of the supplements.
Metabolism boosts
Spirulina can be used to boost metabolism, which in turn can boost energy levels. This is essential for those who may want to make a difference in their body weight and can even improve body mass index when consumed regularly.
The boosts in energy can also be incredibly useful to those who suffer from depression and feeling low, helping with treating mood disorders.
Lower cholesterol levels
The worlds leading cause of death is heart disease. Therefore it is vital that we start to reflect this within what we consume. Lowering cholesterol levels is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Luckily, spirulina supplements have hypolipidaemic effects. A study found that consuming 1 gram of Spirulina per day lowered triglycerides by 16.3%, which is are incredibly promising figures to go by.
Anti cancer properties
There is some evidence that Spirulina supplementation has anti cancer properties and can help to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
The most researched area of the correlation between cancer prevention and spirulina consumption is regarding oral cancer. A study on 87 individuals in India suffering from precancerous lesions in the mouth showed that consuming Spirulina in a dose of 1 gram daily positively affected 45% of the group.
When stopping taking Spirulina, nearly half of the group re-developed their lesions. This shows that Spirulina could be helpful for those with cancerous lesions developing in the mouth.
Improve gut health
Spirulina supports good gut bacteria, which is vital for a healthy immune system, being easily absorbed due to the cell structures' soft walls. This can be due to the prebiotic polysaccharides present in Spirulina.
Lower blood pressure levels
Having high blood pressure is a serious health concern and can result in multiple health issues such as heart attacks and strokes.
The link between taking spirulina supplements and lowered blood pressure can be seen as a result of Spirulina increasing the production of nitric oxide production in your blood. This helps your blood vessels relax, leading to lower blood pressure levels.
To lower blood pressure significantly, you would need to take a higher dose of Spirulina, along the lines of 4.5 grams, as shown in this study.
Improves allergic rhinitis symptoms
Allergic rhinitis refers to when your nose reacts to an allergy, such as dust or pollen, causing inflammation and sneezing.
Spirulina has been used to lessen these symptoms, with a study showing that consuming 2 grams of Spirulina a day improved symptoms such as nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
Lower blood sugar levels
Studies involving animals have provided evidence that blood sugar levels could be significantly reduced by consuming Spirulina. However, for some people, they prefer evidence based human applications because they may be seen as more accurate research.
Fortunately, a study on 25 people with type 2 diabetes over two months showed that consuming 2 grams of Spirulina a day could reduce blood glucose levels.
To gauge a more robust correlation, more research and studies are necessary.
Side effects of spirulina powder
From a seller's point of view, the above health benefits of spirulina supplementation sound lucrative and inviting. However, you must bear in mind that you need to be transparent with customers, and you can't only disclose the positive information. In addition, side effects are not guaranteed to happen, but if they do, it's best to know that you made your customer aware of the possibility.
Some common side effects are;
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Can increase symptoms of autoimmune disease
- Renal problems due to high amounts of ammonia
- Can trigger sudden weight loss or gain due to liquid retention
You most likely won't have to share this point with your customer, but it is something that you, as the salesperson, should be aware of. Suppose you source your Spirulina from an unreliable source. In that case, you run the risk of giving consumers supplements with heavy metal toxicity, which can be incredibly dangerous and can lead to poisoning. So, make sure your source is dependable before selling or consuming it yourself!
Also, it is essential to be aware that breastfeeding women and anyone taking prescription medication needs to check with their doctor before taking Spirulina. Keep an eye out for this when selling, as you don't want anyone to take Spirulina if they aren't meant to.
The forms of Spirulina available to sell
The two most common ways to sell and consume Spirulina are either powder or supplement tablets. However, helping your clients understand the best ways to enjoy Spirulina is also important, so it is advised that you conduct research into which recipes work best in accordance with spirulina supplementation.
Commonly, spirulina powder is enjoyed when dissolved in water, juice, or incorporated into a smoothie. You can buy Spirulina in its powdered form in many health food stores. Still, it is recommended that when looking for products to sell to customers, you should go with a reliable private label provider instead.
Final thoughts
If you are a passionate salesperson and want to make it big in the health industry, starting to sell a natural product such as Spirulina is an excellent way to get there. Due to the potential health benefits of Spirulina, you will have a lot to go off when selling and recommending adding Spirulina to diets.
Being transparent with consumers is a must, as there are some big claims to spirulina health benefits, and many customers will be keen to find out more. However, to ensure you do not spread misinformation, it is best to keep on top of research and let customers know about possible side effects too.
As natural remedies soar in popularity, now is the perfect time to dip into this lucrative industry while providing your customers with dependable and honest service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is spirulina powder good for?
Spirulina powder is rich in vitamins and nutrients such as vitamins C, E, and B6. These are fundamental to having a healthy immune system. In addition, research states that Spirulina can boost the production of white blood cells and antibodies essential when fighting off viruses.
What are the dangers of Spirulina?
The main danger of spirulina consumption is that there is a chance that the algae could be contaminated with toxic metals if grown in an unsafe place. Consuming contaminated toxic Spirulina can lead to a number of health complications.
Can I take spirulina powder everyday?
You can take spirulina powder daily, as long as you don't surpass the dosage of 8 grams. Many spirulina consumers like to incorporate their powder into a shake, smoothie, or drink at the start of the day.
Can Spirulina cause weight gain?
You would need to take a large amount of Spirulina to cause weight gain - as a teaspoon serving of dried Spirulina only contains 20 calories. However, Spirulina can be linked to liquid retention, which may make you feel slightly heavier, but it is important to note that this is not due to weight gain and will go.
Who should not take Spirulina?
Taking Spirulina is not recommended for those with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, using blood thinners, or with allergies. This is mainly because Spirulina can increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases due to the rich essential amino acids present.
How long does it take for Spirulina to work?
Depending on which area of your health you are hoping to target, the time taken until spirulina works will vary. However, a noticeable difference in energy levels can occur within three weeks when consumed alongside a balanced diet.