Recipes · Health Shot
Spirulina Lime Green Shot
Reader ratingsA deep-green, tangy shot of spirulina shaken with lime and coconut water — one teaspoon of a very nutrient-dense food.
Spirulina has been harvested from alkaline lakes as food for centuries, including by the Aztecs at Lake Texcoco and the Kanembu people around Lake Chad.
Safety
- Quality matters: independent testing found cyanotoxins above tolerable daily limits in 8 of 18 algae supplements. Buy spirulina that is third-party tested for microcystins and heavy metals, and stop if you get nausea, hives or a rash.
- Case reports have linked spirulina-containing supplements to flares of autoimmune disease. Avoid it if you have an autoimmune condition or take immunosuppressants unless your doctor agrees.
- Spirulina is a protein food that contains phenylalanine, so people with phenylketonuria (PKU) should check with their dietitian. There is little safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding, so ask your midwife or doctor first.
- Contains honey (optional), so not for infants under 12 months. A shot is a small extra, not a substitute for a meal.
Why it’s good for you
Spirulina is a protein-rich blue-green microalga that supplies chlorophyll, iron and the blue pigment phycocyanin; lime adds vitamin C and coconut water adds potassium.
Evidence
Moderate evidence
Some human trials or consistent observational data; not yet settled.
Meta-analyses of randomized trials of spirulina supplements (mostly 1–8 g a day for 2–12 weeks) found modest blood-pressure reductions of about 4/3 mmHg in a 2025 GRADE-assessed review, and lower LDL and total cholesterol across 20 studies (1,076 people) in a 2023 analysis. Most trials were small and varied widely in dose, duration and population, so the findings are promising rather than settled. Quality is a real concern: a lab analysis found cyanotoxins above tolerable limits in 8 of 18 algae supplements.
General information from research and traditional use — not medical advice, and not a treatment for any condition. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition, check with your clinician first, and seek care for symptoms that are severe or do not improve.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the cold coconut water and lime juice into a small jar with a tight lid (or a mini blender cup).
- Sprinkle in the spirulina and honey. Close the lid and shake hard for 20 seconds, or blend for 10 seconds, until there are no dry clumps.
- Drink right away, chilled — spirulina’s flavor sharpens as it sits.
Tips
- New to spirulina? Start with 1/2 tsp for the first few days; the flavor and texture take some getting used to.
- To prep ahead, mix 1 cup coconut water with 1/4 cup lime juice and keep it in a sealed glass bottle in the fridge for 4 days; stir 1 tsp of spirulina into each 5 tbsp (2 1/2 oz) portion just before drinking. The base freezes well in ice-cube trays.
- A pinch of sea salt, a few mint leaves or the optional honey soften the pond-like flavor.
- Spirulina powder can clump and stain: use a lid and shake, rather than stirring with a spoon.
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