HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPINACH
Popeye was right! Spinach has more documented health benefits than almost any other food! (please note that other dark greens such as kale, collards, Swiss chard, mustard greens, turnip greens, romaine and bok choy, may be just as nutritious. However, these are not as well studied or as frequently consumed by individuals).
Great for use in a variety of dishes, spinach is a nutrient packed vegetable that you can incorporate into almost any meal. The cartoon character Popeye attributed his great strength to eating spinach as the nutritional benefits include high levels of iron, zinc, and vitamins such as A and C.
Spinach may play a role in the slowdown of the aging process, and help to maintain brain function. These potential health benefits, along with the proven nutritional benefits of spinach make it a must-have in your diet. There are several studies demonstrating an inverse relationship between spinach consumption and:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Several types of cancer including colon, lung, skin, stomach, ovarian, prostate and breast
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Cataracts
Here is a list of everything we know so far that is found in spinach:
- Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene
- Antioxidants (glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, vitamins C and E
- Vitamin K
- Coenzyme Q-10
- B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, B6 and folate)
- Minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc)
- Chlorophyll
- Polyphenols
- Betaine (a derivative of choline which is an essential fat)
- Plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids
Quite impressive-and this list may grow.
