Popularized by the famous television show “Popeye-the Sailor Man”, Spinach is a green, leafy vegetable with a high nutritional value. It has been used throughout history by various cultures, especially in Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and South-East Asian cuisines. This article explores how it can benefit your health
1. Helps in managing diabetes
Spinach contains an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid that has been shown to decrease glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity and avoid oxidative, stress-induced changes in diabetes patients.
2. Great for your skin
Spinach is filled with potent antioxidants that are essential for the normal production of skin cells and promote a healthy skin tone. Many excellent skin benefits of spinach include an improvement in collagen production, which helps reinforce the capillaries for a healthier, even skin tone— reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Spinach has large amounts of vitamin A that moderates oil production in the pores of the skin and hair follicles to moisturize the skin and hair.
3. Good for cardiac health
Spinach contains high concentrations of nitrates that have been shown to help reduce levels of blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. Spinach is recommended for people with high blood pressure, due to its high potassium content. Potassium may aid in reducing sodium effects in the body.
4. Helps in maintaining good bone health
Spinach is a rich source of vitamin K that helps to promote the development of a protein called Osteocalcin, which stabilized the calcium in the bones. Besides being high in vitamin K, spinach is also a great source of calcium and vitamin D, dietary, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, all of which are essential nutrients good for bone health.
5. Good for your eyes
Spinach is particularly rich in two antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect your eyes from the damage caused by sunlight and from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
6. Boost your immune system
Thanks to its high content of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, fibre, magnesium and iron, Spinach tops the list as a