Spinach (spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It’s leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either fresh or after storage using preservation techniques by canning, freezing or dehydration. It may be eaten cooked or raw. The various health benefits include the following.
1 – Improves eyesight (spinach is a rich source of beta carotene, lutein and xanthene which are beneficial for eyesight. It can also prevent itchy eyes, eye ulcers, dry eyes and reduce the puffiness or irritation in the eyes).
2 – Proteins for infant growth (proteins, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in spinach helps with proportionate development in their growing stages).
3 – Protects skin (protects the skin from the harmful rays of the skin including UV rays).
4 – Anticancer effect (spinach constituents helps in the prevention of various types of cancer including prostate, liver and lung cancer).
5 – Provides neurological benefits (several components of this vegetable are known to provide neurological benefits so consuming it might be a good idea for people who are at risk of neutral or cognitive decline).
6 – Maintains blood pressure (spinach is rich in potassium and contains low sodium content which is beneficial for people with high blood pressure).
7 – Strengthen muscles (antioxidant CO-Q10 present in spinach plays an important part in strengthening muscles especially heart muscles which continuously pumps blood to all parts of the body).
8 – Relieves symptoms of hemophilia (vitamin K rich spinach helps in blood clotting by producing prothrombin and it helps relieve symptoms of hemophilia).
9 – Helps in bone mineralization (vitamins and minerals in spinach helps in retaining calcium in the bone matrix, building strong bones. The minerals are also essential in maintaining healthy teeth and nails).
10 – Helps aid the digestive system (spinach has the ability to protect the mucous membrane of the stomach thereby decreasing the occurrence of gastric ulcers while the glycoglycerolipids can boost the strength of the digestive tract lining thereby preventing unwanted inflammation).
11 – Prevents atherosclerosis (a pigment called lutein that is found in spinach has shown to reduce the occurrence of atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes).
12 – Reduces inflammation (spinach is one of the most powerful vegetables when it comes to reducing inflammation throughout the body due to its many anti inflammatory compounds).
13 – Helps with fetal development (spinach is rich in folate and a growing fetus needs ample amounts of folate for proper development of the nervous system).