Impact of dietary Arthrospira (Spirulina) biomass consumption on human health: main health targets and systematic review

Abstract

Arthrospira (known commercially as Spirulina) is an edible cyanobacterium traditionally used for centuries as human food by various cultures. Its biochemical profile includes many bioactive molecules with enormous potential in human health. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the scientific evidence about the effects of dietary Arthrospira biomass consumption on a range of health outcomes. A search was made in PubMed and the Cochrane Library for randomised controlled clinical trials in which Arthrospira was used as a dietary supplement. An additional search was conducted for studies on rodents. Studies were organised by health outcomes. A total of 25 randomised clinical trials were included in the study. Four analysed the role of Arthrospira in dyslipidaemia, four in diabetes, one in hypertension, two in exercise, two in immune response, four in inflammation and precancerous lesions, and two in allergic rhinitis. Three studies analysed the antiviral effect of Arthrospira and a further three assessed its effect on nutritional status. For most of the targeted health outcomes in the selected clinical trials, daily consumption of Arthrospira biomass provided considerable benefits. However, more extensive studies that meet higher quality criteria are needed to confirm the reported results before any validated and absolute health claims can be made for this microorganism.