Spirulina is actually a kind of bacteria. When we eat it in capsules we don’t realize this, but in truth they are just dried algae. In it’s purest form there is not even any preservatives added, and in many cases it is just preserved in common salt.
In fact sun dried spirulina will keep for a long time and will not spoil quickly. The bacteria is in fact not even dead, it just goes into a dormant stage until favorable times come up when they will bloom again.
Spirulina is not traditional to the diet of most Europeans and Americans, but in many parts of Africa and Asia it is consumed. In fact, even now there are a number of places in Africa where spirulina is consumed as a staple because of the deficiency in the diet in a number of vital nutrients. And spirulina gives all these.
While this may not be needed in most developed countries because the standard of the diet is much better, with most of us watching our weight, we are deliberately cutting down on our intake and therefore fall deficient. And since spirulina is totally non fattening, including it as part of our diet is a very good.
There are a number of spirulina health benefits when they are regularly consumed.