Cushuro: what properties and benefits does this superfood have?

The cushuro is a spherical algae found in the depths of some rivers. It was originally found in Peru.

This food is found mainly in streams located in the Andes. It has become popular in recent years and is already considered a superfood, thanks to its amazing properties.

This seaweed is part of the traditional gastronomy of many regions in Peru. It is an economical option that makes it accessible to the entire population and that provides more nutrients than meat and milk. Here we list the properties and benefits of cushuro.

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What is cushuro and what properties and benefits does it have?

Cushuro is known as the "Andean miracle" for the benefits it gives to our body. It has also been named "Andean caviar" due to its similarity to this food, although the cushuro has a greenish hue. These are small, smooth spheres with a high protein content.

But, in addition to this, cushuro has other really amazing compounds that have positioned it as a superfood that could even help end the problems of anemia and malnutrition.

Learn about the properties and benefits of this peculiar food. We will tell you about them below.

1. High protein content

One of the most important components of cushuro is its high protein content. Studies have yielded results that have surprised the scientific community, because it has been proven that cushuro contains more protein than meat.

For this reason, cushuro is considered one of the foods with the highest amount of protein, doubling the content of quinoa and kiwicha, which are also called superfoods, although below this Andean food.

2. Calcium

Cushuro has a significant amount of calcium. In 100 grams of cushuro there are 145 milligrams of calcium. Much more than what milk contains. This makes it one of the foods with the highest calcium content.

Calcium is essential to strengthen teeth and bones and thus minimize the risk of developing osteoporosis. The populations that commonly consume cushuro in Peru show a very low rate of people with osteoporosis problems.

3. Iron

Iron is also present in cushuro. As with calcium, the amount of iron that contains this food surpasses that of others, such as lentils. In 100 grams of cushuro there are about 19.6 mg of iron.

Although this food contains Vitamin A, it is recommended to consume an important source of Vitamin D and C so that iron and calcium are fixed in the body and enjoy the benefits of the superfood cushuro.

4. Natural laxative

Cushuro can help relieve constipation. It is considered a natural laxative that also acts in the body in a harmless way. Whether it is a random episode of constipation or a common condition, cushuro is a helper to help relieve it.

The advantage of cushuro is that it is not a food that causes diarrhea, it simply favors the work of the intestine and the softening of stool, favoring the easy expulsion of bowel movements

5. Reduces the accumulation of cholesterol

In addition to nutrients, cushuro has medicinal properties. One of these properties is to help reduce or limit the formation of cholesterol in the blood. For this reason, its intake is recommended if bad cholesterol has risen.

Cushuro has been used by the Peruvian inhabitants as a detoxifier for the body. This is due to its property of reducing cholesterol levels and in this way helping the body eliminate toxins.

6. Boost the immune system

Due to its nutritional content, cushuro helps the immune system. As already mentioned, this food contains protein, iron, calcium, in addition to Vitamin A and other minerals.

All this makes it a food that helps strengthen the immune system. For this reason it is considered a superfood. If the defenses are strengthened, diseases are greatly reduced.

7. Anticancer

Cushuro is considered an anticancer food. The studies that have analyzed this Peruvian algae have resulted in the fact that consuming it significantly reduces the possibility of developing cancer.

In the presence of cancerous tumors, the consumption of cushuro can help to complement the treatments and enhance their effects. Although its best quality is to function as a preventive food.

8. Healthy skin and hair

Another benefit of cushuro is that it nourishes the skin and hair.. In addition to its nutrients, this seaweed helps stimulate collagen production more effectively than many other foods and supplements.

The adequate production of collagen allows to have a healthy, elastic skin with a greater capacity for regeneration, which helps to eliminate spots or scars. In addition, it helps hair grow faster.

9. Accessible

Cushuro is a very accessible food for the entire population. It is a very low-cost food, its production and collection is inexpensive, so the prices of cushuro are really low.

In addition, its transport and distribution does not require too sophisticated technology, so this would not raise the final price. It is a versatile food that can be included in sweet dishes as well as salads.

Bibliographic references

• Brown, D. L.; Bisalputra, T. (1969-6). "Fine structure of the blue-green alga Nostoc sphaericum: the structured granule". Phycology.

• Rosales Laguna, Dyana Daysi; Chuquilín Goicochea, Roberto Carlos. (2016). "Study of the biosorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II) using Nostoc sphaericum Vaucher as adsorbent". Magazine of the Chemical Society of Peru.