Spinach is an edible flowering plant belonging to the family of Amaranthaceae. It originated from central and southwestern Asia. We all know Spinach, thanks to the well known Popeye, a cartoon character who gets extraordinary energy after consuming spinach. How healthy is spinach? Well, Spinach is one of the healthiest dark green leafy vegetables known to man. In this article, we explore the various health benefits of spinach.
Benefit 1: Blood Sugar Control and Diabetes
Spinach is vital for blood sugar regulation. Blood sugar regulation is important in order to prevent conditions such as diabetes. Closely linked to this is the fact that spinach helps o regulate blood pressure. Spinach is rich in alpha-lipoic acid which assists in reducing glucose levels in the blood. Spinach is rich in potassium due to its effect of counteracting high sodium in the diet.
Benefit 2: Cancer Prevention
Spinach aids in fighting cancer. This is because it contains carcinogenic blocking agent in its chlorophyll especially obtained when the vegetables are grilled at high temperature.
Benefit 3: Asthma prevention
High consumption of spinach has been linked to reduced risks of getting asthma. Spinach contains beta-carotene is particularly useful in preventing asthma attack.
Benefit 4: Bone health
Spinach is a healthy vegetable diet due to its vitamin K rich content; Vitamin K is useful in preventing bone fracture by improving calcium absorption. Vitamin K also serves as a modifier of bone matrix proteins.
Benefit 5: Rich in Fiber
Spinach is rich in fiber as well as water content, both of which aid in reducing constipation. Consequently, it improves the digestive system.
Benefit 6: Healthy skin and hair
Due to its vitamin A content, spinach promotes sebum secretion in the hair, hence keeping it moisturized. Vitamin A is also useful for growth off skin and hair tissues. The vitamin C present in spinach is vital for maintenance of collagen, an element responsible for giving structure to both the skin and the hair. Being rich in Iron, spinach helps to fight hair-loss.
Benefit 7: Versatile food
Spinach is one of the most versatile foods known to man. This is because it can be consumed raw in a salad or cooked slightly, boiled or added as soup to other dishes.
Benefit 8: Source of Flavonoids
Spinach is laden with flavonoids which serve as antioxidants. Anti-oxidants help protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for causing cancerous conditions in the body.
Benefit 9: Rich in Lutein
Spinach is rich in lutein, a carotenoid which protects you against eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Benefit 10: Folate Rich
To protect your body cells from the harmful effects of radicles, then you need to consume lots of spinach. The folate present in spinach helps to prevent DNA damage and mutations in colon cells.
