Why Spinach?

With leaves so bright, scent so aromatic and versatility in cooking, spinach makes for a cooks favorite ingredient! Whether it’s to be served as a main dish ingredient, as a side dish salad or even just something to decorate the plate with! Popeye may not have been a chef but he clearly knew of the benefits spinach can offer! So let’s take inspiration from Popeye and dedicate this article to spinach! Here we will discuss why exactly spinach is so healthy and what it can do for you! Popeye was a big fan of spinach; however he used to eat canned spinach - which is really unfortunate as fresh spinach is the only way you can enjoy its crunchy texture, color and aroma.

Types of Spinach

This jade green beauty comes in three main variety, these are Smooth Leaf/ Flat Spinach, Savoy Spinach and Baby Spinach.
Smooth leaf spinach leaves are usually shaped as spade. The leaves are flat, non-crinkled and smooth in texture. Savoy spinach has a bouncy texture and the leaves are more crunchy, creased and curly! While Baby spinach has a sweeter taste and is more delicate in texture, which makes for it to be a perfect in salads! No matter what spinach you choose to eat, you will still be benefitting from its benefits!

Spinach Health Benefits

Spinach contains a vast source of nutrients, all of which have amazing health advantages! These nutrients include an ample amount of Minerals and Vitamins such as Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Phosphorous, Copper and Iron. From the category of Vitamins, spinach comprises of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Niacin and Riboflavin. Spinach is also a healthy source of Dietary Fiber and Proteins. Additionally, spinach happens to be low in Cholesterol and Saturated Fat. So with all these nutrients let’s see what all spinach can do for you!

Anti-Cancer!

Spinach is absolutely loaded with flavonoids! Flavonoids are a phytonutrient with astounding anti-cancer properties! These flavanoids help slowing down the process of cell division in cancer cells! Spinach is also particularly helpful in reducing the risk and providing protection against aggressive prostate cancer, in particular.

Anti-oxidants!

Spinach is also an astonishing source of anti-oxidant nutrients such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, and Manganese which therefore helps reduce a large number of health related risks - especially all illnesses that are related to oxidative stress such as, Cancer, Heart Disease and even Aging. These antioxidants are also helpful in combating high blood pressure, Atherosclerosis, and Osteoporosis!

Anti-Inflammatory!

Spinach is rich in anti-inflammatory properties which are especially helpful for people with arthritis, migraine headaches, Osteoporosis, and even asthma! These anti-inflammatory properties include Neaxanthin, and Violaxanthin.

Boosts The Immunity!

Spinach is also very helpful when it comes to the immunity system! Yes, spinach is an excellent way to give your immunity the boost it needs as this helps our body fight and prevent various kinds of hazardous diseases! Spinach also contains an abundance of Vitamin A which contains Lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells which help fight off various infections!

Strong Bones!

Let Popeye be an inspiration to all children and adults alike! Popeye sole purpose for consuming spinach was to be strong, and let’s hand it to him, because that is exactly what spinach can do for you! Spinachhelps increase the combination of Osteocalcin that is a protein which provides our bones with the strength and density! Also, the Vitamin K found in spinach helps prevent the breakdown of bones caused by the excess activation of a cell called Osteoclast.

Good for Your Brain and Nervous System!

The Vitamin K in spinach is not only beneficial to our bones but is also helpful for our brain and nervous system! Vitamin K helps provide the essential synthesis to the crucially important fat that makes the Myelin sheath around our nerves called Sphingoilipids.