Spirulina Research
46 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
The Effects of Seaweed and Microalgae Supplementation on Exercise Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wei Y et al. • Nutrients (2026)
High-quality, multi-center RCTs incorporating mechanistic endpoints are needed to clarify optimal application and to develop athlete-specific recommendations.
- Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model.
- Regarding recovery, CK concentrations were significantly reduced (SMD = -0.78, 95% CI: -1.28 to -0.28).
- Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the main findings with minimal evidence of publication bias.
Edible Algae Reduce Blood Pressure in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Casas-Agustench P et al. • Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association (2025)
Consuming over 3 g/day of whole edible algae, especially Spirulina, for at least 12 weeks significantly lowers BP, particularly in those with elevated levels.
- Edible algae intake significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP: -2.05 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.80, -0.31; p = 0.022) and diastolic BP (DBP: -1.87 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.10, -0.64; p = 0.001).
- Heterogeneity was high for SBP (Q-value: 230; I2 = 75%; p < 0.001) and moderate for DBP (Q-value: 102; I2 = 68%; p < 0.001).
- Consuming over 3 g/day of whole edible algae, especially Spirulina, for at least 12 weeks significantly lowers BP, particularly in those with elevated levels.
Natural Products in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms
Bayo Jimenez MT et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
Despite generally favorable results, the studies varied considerably in design and quality; nonetheless, herbal extracts represent a prominent category of natural interventions in AD and MCI, underscoring the need for further large-scale, high-quality clinical trials to confirm their therapeutic potential.
- These extracts showed potential cognitive and neuroprotective benefits, although results varied across compounds and study designs.
- Other natural compounds-including flavonoids, polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, Aloe vera, Spirulina, and citrus phytochemicals-may provide cognitive and neuroprotective benefits, with ginseng and Ginkgo biloba combinations also showing promise.
- Curcumin and Melissa officinalis had limited effects, resveratrol showed mixed outcomes with some side effects, and matcha green tea may improve cognition and sleep quality.
Comparative effects of nutraceuticals on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 111 randomized clinical trials
Shahinfar H et al. • Pharmacological research (2023)
All rights reserved.
- We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss.
- Supplementations with green tea (MD: -1.25 kg, 95%CI: -1.68, -0.82) and glucomannan (MD: -1.36 kg, 95%CI: -2.17, -0.54) demonstrated small weight loss, also the certainty of evidence was rated low.
- Based on our findings, supplementations with nutraceuticals can result in a small weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.
The effect of Spirulina supplementation on lipid profile: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials
Rahnama I et al. • Pharmacological research (2023)
The findings of the present meta-analysis and review show the usefulness of supplementing with Spirulina in improving serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C.
- The findings of the present meta-analysis and review show the usefulness of supplementing with Spirulina in improving serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C.
- Published in Pharmacological research (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults
Osadnik T et al. • Pharmacological research (2022)
All rights reserved.
- Evidence for bergamot effect was based on relatively small study group and may require further investigations.
- Policosanols have no effect on the lipid profile.Copyright © 2022 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier Ltd..
Antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina in disease conditions: a systematic review
Calella P et al. • International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2022)
Further research in this field is needed to confirm the possible clinical role of Spirulina supplementation in parallel with medical therapies.
- Despite variability in research methodology and patient conditions, the findings of these studies generally support the benefits of supplementing diet with SP in subjects with both transmittable and non-transmittable diseases.
- Improvements were found for all the conditions studied, with the only exception of male infertility.
- However, the number of clinically controlled trials examining the effects of SP on specific health conditions is still very low, and some studies show medium quality.
Bioactive Compounds of Arthrospira spp. (Spirulina) with Potential Anticancer Activities: A Systematic Review
Silva MROBD et al. • ACS chemical biology (2021)
Furthermore, it was the only molecule that functioned in synergy with other drugs that are already well established for the treatment of cancer.
- In general, compounds from Arthrospira spp. act as anticancer agents by inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, triggering cell cycle arrest, and inducing apoptosis via different signaling pathways.
- In addition, these compounds also exhibited antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic activities.
- Phycocyanin demonstrated better efficacy against several types of cancer via different activities and therapeutic targets.
Identifying immunostimulatory herbal supplements that may flare autoimmune skin diseases: a systematic scoping review
Weiner JD et al. • Lupus science & medicine (2025)
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
- We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
- This article may serve as a reference to help clinicians counsel patients with autoimmune skin diseases on the risks associated with use of specific herbal supplements.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Weight Loss: A Narrative Review
Lua PL et al. • Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (2021)
Hence, studies of this nature need to be further replicated and improved to corroborate the efficacy and safety of the CATs to combat weight issues.
- Eight systematic reviews and meta-analyses and 11 additional RCTs with 765 participants (50.2% overweight and 49.8% obese) related to hypnotherapy, acupuncture and dietary supplements met the inclusion criteria.
- Their results suggested that spirulina, chitosan, probiotic, EPA + DHA, vitamin D, fiber, and herbal extract supplementation may all provide small reductions in body weight (ranging from 1-10 kg).
- Interestingly, hypnotherapy and acupuncture reported significantly greater reduction in body weight compared with placebo (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively).
Systematic Review of the Effects of Plant-Based Foods on Metabolic Outcomes in Adults with MASLD and Comorbidities Such as Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes
Jurek JM et al. • Nutrients (2025)
Further research is needed to validate these effects and ensure their safety in MASLD management.
- Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become one of the most prevalent liver diseases, affecting up to 40% of adults and strongly associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
- Liver enzymes improved following consumption of WGPs, BJ, sour tea, flaxseed oil, and garlic, and hepatic steatosis was reduced after intake of oranges, WGPs, HFBs, BJ, flaxseed powder, rapeseed oil, and garlic powder.
- Conversely, a solely fruit-rich diet (FRD) had negative effects across all outcomes.
Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris Consumption on Iron Status: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies
Lacurezeanu A et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2025)
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.
- No significant adverse effects or organ toxicity were reported in any of the included studies.
- A. platensis and C. vulgaris are safe and effective microalgal supplements that enhance iron status and antioxidant defense, presenting promising alternatives to conventional iron therapy.
- However, longer-term human clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and determine optimal dosing strategies.© 2025 The Author(s).
Evidence-Based Supplementation Strategies for Wrestlers: A Systematic Review
Coutiño Díaz M et al. • Current nutrition reports (2025)
Overall, individual studies show some promise for several dietary supplements to alter body mass and body composition, improve exercise recovery and performance, delay fatigue, and modify serum biomarkers; nevertheless, effect sizes were often small, and results were often mixed.
- Overall, individual studies show some promise for several dietary supplements to alter body mass and body composition, improve exercise recovery and performance, delay fatigue, and modify serum biomarkers; nevertheless, effect sizes were often small, and results were often mixed.
- Published in Current nutrition reports (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of Spirulina Supplementation on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Machowiec P et al. • Nutrients (2021)
More exact randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effect of Spirulina supplementation on blood pressure.
- The effect size of each study was counted from mean and standard deviation before and after the intervention and shown as Un-standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval.
- The amount of Spirulina ranged from 1 to 8 g per day, and intervention durations ranged from 2 to 12 weeks.
- Spirulina administration might have a supportive effect on the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations
Huang H et al. • Clinical Nutrition (2018)
Spirulina supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides while raising HDL-C.
- Spirulina significantly reduced total cholesterol (-36.86 mg/dL), LDL-C (-33.16 mg/dL), and triglycerides (-39.20 mg/dL)
- HDL-C was significantly increased by 6.06 mg/dL
- Effects were dose-dependent with greater benefits at doses above 2 g/day
Spirulina's impacts on cardiovascular health: Insights from a systematic meta-analysis of RCT
Shiri H et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2025)
This study demonstrates that spirulina supplementation effectively reduces the risk of CVD in adults by improving glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, anthropometric indexes, and inflammation.
- This study demonstrates that spirulina supplementation effectively reduces the risk of CVD in adults by improving glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, anthropometric indexes, and inflammation.
- So, intake of spirulina is an adjunct or complementary to improve cardiometabolic profiles.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Antiviral potential of spirulina in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus or Hepatis C virus infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
McKinley L et al. • Clinical nutrition ESPEN (2024)
Findings from this systematic review showed a potential beneficial effect of Spirulina supplementation in HIV- and HCV-infected patients by increasing CD4 counts and decreasing viral load.
- Findings from this systematic review showed a potential beneficial effect of Spirulina supplementation in HIV- and HCV-infected patients by increasing CD4 counts and decreasing viral load.
- However, further research in larger controlled clinical trials is needed to fully investigate the effect of this nutritional supplement on clinically relevant outcomes, opportunities for intervention, optimal dose, and cost-benefit of Spirulina supplementation.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Potential benefits of microalgae intake against metabolic diseases: beyond spirulina-a systematic review of animal studies
Tejero Pérez A et al. • Nutrition reviews (2024)
Microalgae intake improved different altered biomarkers due to metabolic diseases and seem to have potential in the design of enriched foodstuffs or novel nutraceuticals.
- Microalgae intake improved different altered biomarkers due to metabolic diseases and seem to have potential in the design of enriched foodstuffs or novel nutraceuticals.
- Nevertheless, to advance to clinical trials, more thorough/detailed studies should be performed on some of the microalgae genera included in this review to collect more information on their molecular mechanisms of action.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Acute and Chronic Performance Enhancement in Rowing: A Network Meta-analytical Approach on the Effects of Nutrition and Training
Held S et al. • Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2023)
Homogeneous and consistent findings from numerous studies indicate that the choice of nutritional supplementation strategy and exercise training regimen are vital for acute and chronic performance enhancement in rowing.
- Both networks revealed low heterogeneity and non-significant inconsistency (I2 ≤ 35.0% and Q statistics: p ≥ 0.12).
- Homogeneous and consistent findings from numerous studies indicate that the choice of nutritional supplementation strategy and exercise training regimen are vital for acute and chronic performance enhancement in rowing.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Spirulina supplementation and oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials
Mohiti S et al. • Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology (2021)
No considerable impacts were observed on TNF-α and MDA concentrations.© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
- A marginal decreasing effect were also found on interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = -0.72 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.50, 0.07; P = .073) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels (SMD = -0.65; 95% CI: -1.37, 0.08; P = .08).
- In addition, results of subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in IL-6 and TBARS concentrations when the baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants was lower than 25 kg/m2 .
- Moreover, spirulina had no significant effect on tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD = -0.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.33, 0.18; P = .56) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.98, 0.14; P = .14).