Spinach The Superfood – All About Spinach Benefits And Its Side Effects
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Spinach is a superfood. It is loaded with tons of nutrients in a low-calorie package. Dark, leafy greens like spinach are important for skin, hair, and bone health. They also provide protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Read on to see how spinach benefits the human body.
China produces 85% of the global production of spinach which makes it the world’s largest spinach producer. Spinach grows fast. It can be harvested after 37-45 days.
Spinach Benefits:
Prevents constipation
Spinach contains diuretic and laxative properties that aid in proper bowel function.
Spinach lowers blood pressure
It has high nitrate concentration which increases plasma nitrite and nitrate concentration in the body that controls high blood pressure.
Improves Heart Health
Spinach is flavonoid-rich which makes it a great choice of food in improving your heart health.
Strengthens your bones
Spinach is a rich source of vitamin k which promotes the production of a protein called osteocalcin, which stabilizes calcium in the bones.
Anti-cancer
Flavonoids found in spinach also help in slowing down abnormal cell division in the body.
Promotes weight loss
Spinach is low in calorie count and curbs hunger craving, with fiber in abundance. It improves bowel troubles and fills you with energy to burn that fat down.
Improves vision
Spinach contains plenty of antioxidants, most important of which are lutein and zeaxanthin which improve vision and overall eye health.
Anti-aging
While antioxidants in spinach aid in improving heart and eye health, they also destroy free radicals in the body and slow down the aging process.
Improves brain and nervous function:
Vitamin K facilitates the synthesis of sphingolipids that promote a healthy nervous system and brain function.
Check out more nourishing brain foods other than spinach.
Increases the white blood cell count:
Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and beta carotene, spinach is known to increase the white blood cell count. White blood cells are the warrior cells that defend the body against infections and viruses.
Other Benefits Of Spinach:
Spinach is best eaten fresh. Freezing spinach reduces its nutritional value. Not only in diet, But Medieval artists also used to extract the green pigment from spinach to use as paint or ink.
- Spinach protects the mucous lining of the stomach, reducing the risk of developing ulcers.
- It promotes skin health. Spinach juice is the healthiest way to consume spinach.
- The high alkaline properties and chlorophyll in spinach fight bacteria that cause acne.
- Vitamin A and C content in spinach regulate the oil produced on the scalp which prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth.
- Spinach contains vitamin B6 which produces serotonin that regulates sleep and wake cycles.
While these are just a few, spinach has much more than you can simply think of. So, eating a spinach filled meal would rather be a better choice than just knowing what it can do. Just pop it in like Popeye and you’ll see the benefits say ‘aye aye’!
Eating Too Much Spinach Side Effects:
- Kidney stones and Gout – Spinach contains purines which can turn into uric acid if consumed in excess amounts
- Loss of appetite – Excess spinach in your diet decreases hunger leading to excess weight loss, and can tamper with your health as a result.
- Hypoglycemia – Sometimes it can reduce blood sugar levels due to high fiber.
- Gas & Indigestion – Digestive distress is a side effect caused due to sudden excessive spinach intake.
- Allergic Reactions – The presence of histamine in spinach can sometimes cause pseudoallergic effects.
