Spirulina vs Moringa: The Two Fascinating Superfoods with Immense Clinical Benefits to Your Health. Learn of their Differences and How to Use them.

If you are a fan of super foods then you must have heard about the very famous Spirulina and Moringa, if not then read on. We have tried to compare these two very beneficial foods for you to decide which one you can benefit from the most. Let us understand Spirulina first. It is a biomass of cyanobacteria or a blue green algae which can be taken by humans and animals. It is said to be one of the oldest life forms on Earth. It is known as a powerful superfood which was initially used by the Aztecs as an endurance booster. They ate it to treat different diseases as well as to sustain their energy during marathon runs. It has a bitter taste therefore people like to mix it with yogurt, juices etc. One tbsp of Spirulina has 20 calories, 4grm protein, 2 gram carbs, 0 sugar and fiber. It has vitamin B1, B2, B3, copper, iron and magnesium which supports your heartbeat.

Another great super food mentioned with Spirulina is Moringa. It is a drought resistant tree and is also known as Moringa drumstick. It is derived from young seed pods and leaves of the tree and is used as a traditional herbal medicine. It was also used as a water purifier in different countries. Moringa is packed with Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. It does not have any harmful cholesterol and is low in fat.

When it comes to protein content Spirulina takes more point than Moringa. You get 57.5 grams of protein in just 100 grams of Spirulina. It also has all the nine essential amino acids in it needed for the body whereas Moringa has half the amount of protein. So, we can say that although both of them have protein in them, the winner of the round is Spirulina as it provides a high dosage of protein.

Another great thing about Spirulina is that it contains natural antihistamine which helps in reducing histamine and nasal inflammation. People with congestion and breathing difficulty can benefit from it whereas Moringa does not have any antihistamine in it.

Both Spirulina and Moringa are taken directly in different forms therefore flavor is an important factor. Spirulina has more intensely savory flavor than Moringa but Moringa is considered safer than Spirulina. According to researchers Spirulina supplements are safe but some are contaminated with microcystin toxin which is not the case with Moringa.

Both Spirulina and Moringa and an excellent source of antioxidants but Spirulina is a little lower on the scale when compared to Moringa on this front. Moringa has more than 40 known antioxidant compounds and Spirulina has about half of that. So, if you are looking into these two for antioxidants then going with Moringa would be a better choice.

You can use both of these for natural weight loss but there have been no clinical trials on weight loss when it comes to using Moringa. Moringa has shown positive results in animals by promoting weight loss therefore many people take Moringa tea as a weight loss aid. Spirulina on the other hand has shown positive results on humans. We can say that Spirulina would be more effective when it comes to weight loss.

Moringa provides our body with more vitamins and minerals. Out of the 14 vitamins and minerals, Moringa outperforms Spirulina in 10. We can say that once again Moringa has taken the front seat.

With so many different health benefits we gain from both Spirulina and Moringa the antiviral benefit is gained only from Moringa. Spirulina has none. If you are looking for a super food with antiviral benefits then Moringa is a better choice.

Let us not forget about the side effects both Moringa and Spirulina may have.

Moringa:
You can eat the leaves, seeds and fruits of Moringa and if needed apply it on the skin without any harm but the root and its extracts may have toxic substance in it that may lead to paralysis or even death. Pregnant and lactating mothers should not consume the flowers, bark or the root Moringa.

Spirulina:
If you us uncontaminated Spirulina then you are safe but contaminated Spirulina is harmful. It may cause weakness, stomach pain, vomiting, increased heart rate or death. It may also interact with immunosuppressant medications.

To conclude the comparison between the two super foods we can say that both of them are beneficial for humans but have some drawbacks. If you are looking for a high protein supplement and aid weight loss then you can eat Spirulina. Spirulina also has an antihistamine property which is not found in Moringa but Moringa has high dosage of antioxidants and mineral contents in it. At the end it is important to know that Moringa is said to be safer than Spirulina as contaminated Spirulina is harmful and cause death. If you are planning to go with either one of them, it is better to do thorough research, talk to the experts and see which one of the two seem appropriate for you and take it with caution.