In our obsession with having a more “nutritious” coffee, we are throwing an ingredient that knows Charco: Spirulina

In recent years a Curious practice: You have to add supplements to everything. Yogurt? With proteins. Cheese? With proteins. Frozen? With proteins too. In many cases, that ‘proteinization’ It makes no sense because they are added to products that They already contain a certain amount of proteinbut within the trend, there is a sub -totence: convert coffee into a superfood.

And one of the last practices is to add spirulina to coffee.

Spirulina. A few days ago we counted that Adding coffee proteins was not a bad idea. Creating a protein, banana and coffee milkshake (for example) gives us a lot of protein nutrients and fruitbut also the effects beneficial of coffee. It is something you can easily do at home to increase protein consumption, but it is also something that companies like Starbucks have seen potential.

The Protein supplements They are integrated into our diet, but … What is that of spirulina? It is a spiral -shaped greenish microalgae that, converted into dust, has become the new ‘miraculous food’. There are many recipes that we can prepare with spirulina and per 100 grams (an unrealistic daily amount) provides 57 grams of protein, 23.9 of carbohydrates, 3.6 fiber and is rich in vitamins of the B complex. In addition, it has calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iodine, chromium, vitamin A, k and folates.

Another Superreceta. Whenever no Replace other foods in the dietSpirulina is a good complement that we can easily introduce in the form of dust into a multitude of food, preparations and sauces. And, as with protein, it is also a good addition to coffee.

As? Well in the form of Latte And not looking for a huge protein contribution, but that supplementation of vitamins and minerals. Because also It has an effect antioxidant and anti -inflammatory, can contribute to glucose control and the improvement of vascular function, as well as a good intestinal flora. Come on, it seems that it only has positive effects.

Eye. But there is a problem. Well, two. The first is that spirulina must be acquired through sources that ensure its complete security because, although there are studies that show benefits with both a gram a day up to five grams a day, it is a food that comes from the sea and the risk Heavy metal contamination is there. And if you have hyper or hyperthyroidism, It is not an adequate supplement.

The second is, as in the case of Starbucks protein coffee, which brands have another miraculous food to label. Pret a manger It is a British fast food chain that has specialized in organic food. Above all, it makes sandwiches and sandwiches, but it has focused on that advertising that they use natural and organic ingredients.

Sugar for a tube. There the spirulina fits like a glove, and, as we read in TelegraphIt is an opportunity that the chain has not let. The British media has contacted the dietitian Aisling Piggotspokesman for the British dietary association and, although it has confirmed that spirulina is a good supplement (whenever we do not enter in any of the risk groups that should not drink this), the Coffee with Spirulina de Pret is not.

And the key is not in that microalga, but in that it is 19.4 grams of sugar per cup. It is more than there is in a can of a conventional soda and that is why you have to take into account what ingredients the coffee is prepared. Because if you have spirulina, very well, but to mask the taste that amount of sugar is added, the final product It is healthy.

Trend vs reality. In the end, it is important not to get carried away by those benefits that some foods promise, but to read the label because, for many properties that spirulina or proteins, already prepared commercial drinks can contain huge doses of sugar that eclipse everything else.

And, although coffee with spirulina, or the Chai Latte With this microalga, they have a very ‘instagrameable’ blue tone, the truth is that you have to like the earthly and strong texture, since the rest of the flavors are eaten.

Image | Sunbliss, Blenz Coffee

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