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Sp7.0
Spirulina Research
Likely helps
123 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Spirulina appears to help in 10 of 10 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 469 participants.
Based on 123 studies · 22 meta-analyses · 62 RCTs · 34,452 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
10helped· 113 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Heart & blood pressure
Likely helps111 studies
Weight management
Likely helps18 studies
InflammationBetter cholesterol and blood pressure · 8-12 weeks
Adults with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment1
Active research area
82 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
200720162026
1Meta-Analysisn=822 · large study2026
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
3Systolic blood pressure reductionMeta-Analysisn=1,583 · large study2025
In plain English: 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.
4Body weight reductionMeta-Analysisn=6,171 · very large study2023
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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)
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.
9Body weight reductionReviewn=765 · large study2021
In plain English: 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).
In plain English: 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.
14Plasma lipid concentrationsMeta-Analysisn=807 · large study2016
In plain English: This meta-analysis showed a significant effect of supplementation with Spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and elevating those of HDL-C.
Serban MC et al. · Clinical Nutrition (2016)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Random-effect meta-analysis of 7 RCTs showed significant reductions in total cholesterol (WMD: -46.76 mg/dL), LDL-C (WMD: -41.32 mg/dL) and triglycerides (WMD: -44.23 mg/dL).
HDL-C was significantly elevated (WMD: 6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.37-9.76, p = 0.001).
The impact on lipids was independent of administered dose.
15CD4 counts and viral loadMeta-Analysisn=44 · small study2024
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
20Body mass and exercise performanceSystematic Reviewn=24 · very small study2025
In plain English: 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.