Spirulina and Cancer Risk: What a Review Can—and Cannot—Show

Research note: The source linked here is a review, not a clinical trial showing reduced cancer risk.

What the review covers

The 2021 review discusses proposed bioactive properties of Spirulina and summarizes research from different areas. The older version of this article combined those claims into a conclusion about preventing tumors in people.

What the source does not establish

A review that includes cell, animal or other preliminary research does not demonstrate that Spirulina lowers cancer risk in people. The statement that Spirulina is used “without any adverse effects” is also too absolute: this source cannot establish that no adverse effects occur for all people or products.

What is needed for a human claim

A cancer-risk claim would need relevant human evidence that directly tests the product, population and outcome being described. This review does not test SPRU fresh-frozen Spirulina.

Source

“Spirulina—a review on its pronounced bioactive properties and future applications in food technology and pharmaceutics” (2021 review).