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Sp9.0
Spirulina Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
55 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Spirulina appears to help in 11 of 13 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2007–2026 with a typical study size of 230 participants.
Based on 55 studies · 21 meta-analyses · 12 RCTs · 33,941 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
11helped2unclear· 42 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Heart & blood pressure
Likely helps45 studies
InflammationBetter cholesterol and blood pressure · 8-12 weeks
Adults with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment1
Active research area
44 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
200720162026
1Meta-Analysisn=822 · large study2026
High-quality, multi-center RCTs incorporating mechanistic endpoints are needed to clarify optimal application and to develop athlete-specific recommendations.
Wei Y et al. · Nutrients (2026)
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.
2Systolic blood pressure reductionMeta-Analysisn=1,583 · large study2025
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.
Casas-Agustench P et al. · Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
3Systematic ReviewCited 3×n=3,582 · very large study2025
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.
Bayo Jimenez MT et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
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.
4Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=6,171 · very large study2023
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.
Shahinfar H et al. · Pharmacological research (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
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.
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.
7Systematic ReviewCited 16×n=1,621 · large study2022
Further research in this field is needed to confirm the possible clinical role of Spirulina supplementation in parallel with medical therapies.
Calella P et al. · International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2022)
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.
8Systematic ReviewCited 19×n=1,306 · large study2021
Furthermore, it was the only molecule that functioned in synergy with other drugs that are already well established for the treatment of cancer.
Silva MROBD et al. · ACS chemical biology (2021)
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.
9Identification of immunostimulatory herbal supplementsSystematic Reviewn=469 · medium study2025
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
Weiner JD et al. · Lupus science & medicine (2025)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
10Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 10×n=765 · large study2021
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.
Lua PL et al. · Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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).
11Metabolic outcomes in MASLDSystematic Review2025
Further research is needed to validate these effects and ensure their safety in MASLD management.
Jurek JM et al. · Nutrients (2025)
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.
12Iron status improvementSystematic ReviewCited 2×2025
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
Lacurezeanu A et al. · Molecular nutrition & food research (2025)
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.
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.
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.
More exact randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effect of Spirulina supplementation on blood pressure.
Machowiec P et al. · Nutrients (2021)
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.
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.
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.
So, intake of spirulina is an adjunct or complementary to improve cardiometabolic profiles.
17CD4 counts and viral loadMeta-AnalysisCited 1×n=44 · small study2024
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.
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.
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.
18Metabolic disease biomarkersSystematic Reviewn=37 · small study2024
Microalgae intake improved different altered biomarkers due to metabolic diseases and seem to have potential in the design of enriched foodstuffs or novel nutraceuticals.
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.
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.
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.
Held S et al. · Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2023)
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.
20IL-6 concentrationMeta-AnalysisCited 21×n=465 · medium study2021
No considerable impacts were observed on TNF-α and MDA concentrations.
Mohiti S et al. · Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology (2021)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
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).