By Spinach is an edible dark green leafy vegetable. This plant of the Amaranthaceae family is native to Southwestern and Central Asia children. There are three types of spinach. The first one is savoy type with dark green curly and crinkly leaves. The smooth-leaf or flat type has smooth and broad leaves that are sold in form of frozen spinach or canned. This second type of spinach is often added to different soups, processed foods and baby foods. The final one I would like to introduce in this article is the semi-savoy type. This type of spinach has slightly crinkled leaves. The texture of semi-savoy spinach is the same as savoy’s one but semi-savoy spinach is easy-to-clean. Different varieties of spinach have different nutritional facts and amazing benefits for health, skin, and hair. Although not many children like eating spinach because of its bitter taste, their parents and grandparents always advised their children to eat more spinach. Eating spinach on a regular basis is thought to have numerous amazing health benefits. Now I would like to share with you several amazing health benefits of spinach.
Amazing Health Benefits of Spinach – The Best Advantages of This Dark Green Leafy Vegetable
Amazing health benefits of spinach are due to the great nutritional facts of this dark green leafy vegetable. Spinach is loaded with antioxidants, nutrients, and anti-cancer constituent. This is a reason why spinach is often added to a variety of cuisines.
Spinach is one of healthiest foods in the world. This wonderful vegetable is a great source of vitamins, minerals, pigments and phytonutrients.
What are amazing health benefits of spinach? You can answer this question by reading this article on the section Nutrition Facts of the site Nutrition Kit.
1. Aid in Weight Loss
Eating spinach on a regular basis is believed to help maintain an ideal weight. Many people add spinach in their weight loss program. Weight loss is one of amazing health benefits of spinach I would like to introduce to you in this article. Spinach contains a great nutritional fact. For instance, it is a great source of soluble dietary fiber. Asking for the tips and techniques on how to lose some unwanted pounds fast and safely, we are advised to eat more fiber sources that are found in green vegetables. Fiber gives you a feeling of full and satisfied; therefore, you eat less during and after the meal.
Moreover, a study found out that this one in a list of amazing health benefits of spinach is also due to the curbing food craving effect of spinach. Known as hedonic hunger, food cravings refer to the urge of eating unhealthy foods such as fast foods and sweet treats.
Studies conducted by scientists at Lund University in Sweden showed that a spinach extract contains thylakoids. Thylakoids, green leaf membranes in spinach, contributes to weight loss by curbing food cravings.
Thylakoids give you a better appetite control and help you eat a healthy diet. Therefore, this food is recommended for people who are in dieting.
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2. Protect Eye Health
It is important for you to take care of your eye health. Your eye health may deteriorate because of external and internal factors like light exposure, chemicals, pollution, allergens, eye diseases, aging, bad habits, sleep deprivation and even a poor diet. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies affect your eyes. Sufferers from macular degeneration are not able to do everyday activities like reading, recognize faces and distinguish colors. Before it is too late, you have to eat more healthy foods that are good for your eye health.
Protecting eye health is one of amazing health benefits of spinach. Spinach is loaded with zeaxanthin and lutein that contain antioxidant properties. Because of zeaxanthin and lutein, eating spinach on a regular basis can protect your eyes from macular generation and cataracts. Moreover, spinach is a great source of vitamin A that keeps mucus membranes healthy and maintains normal eyesight.
To protect your eye health, you should add spinach to different dishes. You can also drink spinach smoothie if you do not like its bitter taste.
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3. Strengthen Your Bones and Prevent Bone Loss
Asked about the health benefits of spinach, many people told that spinach consumption can strengthen your bones and prevent bone loss. Vitamin K found in spinach is essential for supporting bone health. There are 1000% of the recommended daily amounts of vitamin K in a cup of spinach. Vitamin K plays the important role in regulating the activation of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are the cells that contribute to a breakdown in the bone structure. Vitamin K stimulates osteocalcin, the protein that strengthens bones and increases the bone density. We all know that the calcium in dairy products are essential for maintaining the bone health and preventing bone loss. However, not all people can consume dairy products because of their sensitivity. The good news is that spinach is a great source of calcium. Therefore, this dark green leafy vegetable is a great alternative. Moreover, spinach is high in good quality proteins that can help build the healthy muscle tissues and support the collagen growth.
Read More: Top 10 Best Vitamins For Hair Health
4. Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Spinach should be added in your diet because it contains anti-cancer constituent. Anti-cancer effect is one of amazing health benefits of spinach you should know. It is recommended eating spinach on a regular basis to reduce the risk of cancer. Spinach contains flavonoids- a phytonutrient that contains anti-cancer properties. Flavonoids are proved to slow down the growth of spread of skin cancer cells.
Some Japanese scientists found out that the glyconutrients in spinach inhibit the growth of cancer cells and tumors.
Spinach can prevent ovarian cancer. A new study released by the Harvard Medical School found a close link between dietary flavonoid intake and a significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk.
Researchers and scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences evaluated the association between breast cancer and foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. Eating carrots and spinach on a regular basis can reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is a reason why you should add spinach to your diet.
Read More: Top 16 Amazing Foods Good For Bone Health
5. Enhance the Brain and Nervous Function
Spinach is considered as a healthy food for the brain. There are amazing health benefits of spinach for the brain and nervous function. Flavonoids in spinach are powerful antioxidants that can slow down the aging process and protect your brain from harmful free radicals. Regular consumption of spinach can keep the brain function well even when you are at the old age. Children should eat more spinach in their diet because it can enhance their intelligence. Vitamin C, vitamin K and folate present in spinach are effective in boosting the production of hormones for our nervous system. People who eat spinach in their diet can notice the significant reduction in cognitive decline. Spinach is a great source of vitamin E that can protect the cognitive function. People who suffer from cognitive and behavioral issues should add spinach to their diet.
Learn More: 31 Best And Worst Foods For Depression, Stress And Anxiety
6. Lower High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension puts you at the increased risk of heart ailments, kidney disease, and stroke. Consuming spinach is effective in lowering high blood pressure because some beneficial constituents in spinach can treat anxiety and stress. Vitamin C present in spinach helps reduce high blood pressure.
7. Improve Digestion and Protect Gastrointestinal Health
Eating spinach can protect your digestive system. If you have digestive issues, you should eat more spinach. Spinach has a delicate flavor and versatile properties; therefore, spinach can be easily added to different dishes. You can add raw spinach to your favorite salads or mixed with other fruits and vegetables in smoothies. You can also use raw spinach as one of the ingredients in a sandwich. Looking for foods that can ease your digestive system, you cannot ignore spinach. That is also one of amazing health benefits of spinach I would like to introduce to you in this article. People who eat spinach in their diet are less likely to suffer from constipation.
A list of health benefits of spinach also includes protecting gastrointestinal health. It is due to the presence of vitamin C and beta-carotene in spinach. These nutrients can help your body fight against the harmful effects of free radicals on colon cells in the body. Moreover, spinach is a great source of folate that can keep mutations in colon cells and DNA damages at bay.
8. Help Relax Body
Spinach can keep stress at bay and help your body relaxed, which is one of health benefits of spinach. This is because spinach is a great source of magnesium and zinc. Magnesium and zinc deficiencies lead to the loss of sleep at night. Doctors and nutritionists always advise people with sleep deprivation and sleep disorders to increase magnesium and zinc intake to sleep well. Moreover, these nutrients are beneficial in healing body damages. A relaxed body requires a good quality sleep. When you experience the loss of energy, a cup of spinach can restore the needed energy.
9. Boost the Immune System
Because of amazing health benefits of spinach, this dark green leafy vegetable should be added to the diet. Eating spinach can strengthen your immune system. The good immune system plays the important role in preventing diseases. Vitamin A present in spinach keeps the cell membranes healthy and fights any infections. You should include spinach in your diet.
10. Reduce the Risk of Anemia
One of amazing health benefits of spinach is preventing anemia. This is because spinach is a great source of iron. The mineral is essential for women. Moreover, iron plays the important role in the development and growth of children and adolescences. Red meat is also rich in iron; however, spinach is still a greater source of iron. This is because spinach contains fewer calories, no fat, and no cholesterol. Spinach can be eaten in a large amount and you do not need to worry about diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. Moreover, spinach and other iron-rich sources can restore the lost energy by carrying oxygen to all body cells. If you ask me about healthy foods for anemia, you may advise you to eat more spinach.
11. Aid in Calcification
Aiding in calcification is included in a list of amazing health benefits of spinach you should know. This is because spinach is a great source of vitamin K. Vitamin K plays the important role in the carboxylation process in which the matrix Gla protein is produced. As a result, eating spinach on a regular basis can help prevent the formation of calcium in tissues. A diet rich in spinach and other great sources of vitamin K can help you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke.
12. Keep Heart Attack and Atherosclerosis at Bay
As I mentioned above, eating spinach aids in calcification. Therefore, a list of health benefits of spinach includes preventing heart attack and atherosclerosis. The hardening of the artery walls is the culprit of a heart attack. Spinach is a great source of lutein that is beneficial for reducing the pressure in the artery walls. As a result, eating spinach on a regular basis can help reduce the risk of heart attack. Moreover, fat deposition also causes heart attack and heart diseases. You should eat spinach because it is rich in a good quality nitrite that reduces the effects of fat deposition.
13. Treat Inflammation Conditions
Spinach has violaxanthin and Neoxanthin that contain anti-inflammatory properties. Eating spinach can help regulate the body inflammation. Therefore, spinach consumption can prevent and treat inflammation diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, asthma and migraine headaches. That is also one of health benefits of spinach I would like to introduce to you in this article.
14. Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Bad habits and an unhealthy diet can lead to diabetes. Diabetic patient needs a special diet and avoid certain foods. Looking for foods that can cure diabetes, you should not ignore spinach. Reducing the risk of diabetes is one of health benefits of spinach. Spinach consumption can regulate the glucose level in your blood. Moreover, spinach contains magnesium that has the ability to prevent the dangerous and even life-threatening complications caused by diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, spinach is an ideal food for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This dark green vegetable is loaded with a lot of essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, dietary fiber, protein, etc. This healthy food is low in calories. Therefore, it is not surprising when spinach is included in the diabetic diet.
15. Treat Bleeding Gum
Over absorption of glucose in the blood and deficiency in vitamin C put you at the increased risk of bleeding gum. If you suffer from bleeding gum, spinach is an ideal home remedy for you. Curing bleeding gum may be one of amazing health benefits of spinach although not many people know that.
If you want to use spinach for treating bleeding gum, you should read this following instruction and try it for one week.
- Add both spinach and carrots in a blender
- Drink it several times daily to get a satisfactory result
If you like something sweet, you can add a teaspoon of honey to this solution before drinking it. Repeating this treatment for one week can give you a significant improvement.
16. Contains Powerful Antioxidants
Amazing health benefits of spinach are due to the powerful antioxidants found in this dark green leafy vegetable. Spinach is a great source of vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, mangan, selenium and zinc that are powerful antioxidants. These strong antioxidants play the important role in preventing high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis. Moreover, a diet rich in antioxidants can slow down the aging process and keep you young and youthful. Spinach should be consumed in a regular diet to prevent health problems.
17. Aid in Body Development
Children and adolescences should eat more spinach because this green vegetable helps them grow and develop well. Moreover, pregnant women should eat spinach in their diet. This is because spinach aids in the proper development of unborn babies and prevent anemia. Pregnant women are prone to anemia. Spinach is a great source of iron that can prevent anemia.
18. Enhance the Brain Memory
Many studies found out that eating spinach can improve your brain memory. Therefore, in the article about amazing health benefits of spinach, you can not ignore that. That benefit of spinach is due to antioxidants and folic acid found in this green vegetable.
Spinach is a great source of B vitamins. A study conducted in rats found out that a spinach rich diet gave a better result on memory and learning tests.
Moreover, folic acid supports red blood cells in carrying oxygen to your brain. Folic acid in spinach is essential for neurotransmitter functioning and DNA in neurons.
Because of this benefit of spinach for your brain memory, you should eat a cup of spinach daily.
19. Keep Fatigue at Bay
Eating spinach can help boost your immune system. Moreover, preventing fatigue is also one of the amazing benefits of spinach you should know. This is because spinach is a great source of iron that gives you essential energy for your daily activities. If you recover from sickness and work overwhelmingly, you should eat a cup of spinach. Alternatively, you can drink spinach smoothie when you feel thirsty or tired.
20. Ease Kidney Disease
Spinach is a healthy nutritious food that should be included in your daily life. Many people like eating this dark green leafy vegetable. Patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease need to follow a strict diet. Some certain foods may damage their kidney and worsen the kidney disease condition. Most people are curious about if they can eat spinach.
Nutritionists showed that spinach is loaded with various nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. For instance, spinach is a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A that contain antioxidant properties and help improve your immune system. Patients with chronic kidney disease are vulnerable to infections; therefore, benefits of spinach are good for sufferers from kidney disease.
Spinach is rich in iron that plays the important role in boosting the formation of red cells. Iron can prevent anemia. Vitamin K and chlorophyll found in spinach are effective in preventing and treating bleeding. Sufferers from chronic kidney disease are more susceptible to anemia due to the decrease in hemopoietin. Eating spinach on a regular basis can help improve the condition efficiently.
Spinach should be consumed carefully if patients with chronic kidney disease want to eat this vegetable. Raw spinach is high in oxalate. Oxalate affects the absorption of zinc and calcium by combining them. Therefore, for patients come with chronic kidney disease suffer from renal osteopathy (low amount of zinc and calcium), spinach should be excluded from their diet.
Furthermore, sufferers from lupus nephritis should avoid consuming spinach. Spinach is high in chlorophyll that makes patients with lupus nephritis more sensitive to the sunshine. Sunshine may worsen the lupus nephritis and lead to dangerous complications.
Therefore, patients with chronic kidney disease should consult their doctor to understand their health condition before consuming spinach.
Patients with chronic kidney disease should cook raw spinach carefully before eating.
These are 20 amazing health benefits of spinach I would like to introduce to you in this article. It is important for you to rinse spinach leaves under the running water carefully to remove the dirt. Do you like eating spinach and know anything about amazing health benefits of spinach? You should feel free to share with me by leaving your opinions and ideas in the comment section. Thank you for reading.
