Spinach: useful properties and contraindications, photo

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Spinach has been used by various cultures throughout history, particularly in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisines. It can be easily included in many diets. Due to the wide range of benefits of this vegetable, it is recommended to consume spinach regularly. One of the main reasons why spinach is so important and valued around the world is that it is very hardy. He may even survive the winter and be he althy again in the spring.

What is spinach?

Spinach is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, and its scientific name is Spinacia oleracea. It is a green leafy vegetable available to everyone. It is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients. All this together makes the properties of spinach leaves useful for a number of vital processes.

Spinach can be eaten raw as part of many salads and can bealso boil or fry. It can be eaten as a vegetable side dish or added to several regular soup and stew recipes. It is native to the Middle East and was cultivated in Persia thousands of years ago. From there it was brought to China about 1500 years ago. It made its way to Europe after several centuries and quickly became a staple in a number of cuisines.

The beneficial properties of spinach are used in recipes in various parts of the world as a medicinal plant. It is specifically included in cooking to help improve overall he alth. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial properties of spinach for the human body.

Spinach Facts

The various he alth benefits of spinach are associated with the presence of minerals, vitamins, pigments and phytonutrients, including potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium. Spinach is a green vegetable that has a very wide distribution. It can be grown in quality in the country or bought on the market. It is a source of vitamins such as folic acid, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C and contains traces of the rest of the essential vitamins.

Other important elements, including thiamine and riboflavin, which are used in various reactions in the body, are also found in spinach. It is also rich in pigments such as beta-carotene, lutein, xanthene, and chlorophyllin. The best part is that spinach is low in fat. Spinach offers a wide range of he alth benefits for most physiological processes, whether consumed raw or cooked.see.

He alth benefits

Eating this vegetable is essential for maintaining a he althy body. The various he alth benefits of spinach (pictured is a vitamin salad with spinach) include the following.

Improves eyesight

Spinach is a rich source of beta-carotene, lutein and xanthene, all of which are good for vision. Consuming this vegetable can prevent vitamin A deficiencies, itching, and dry eye syndrome. This is also due to some of the anti-inflammatory properties of spinach, which can reduce puffiness or eye irritation.

Neurological benefits

Some components of spinach, such as potassium, folic acid, and various antioxidants, are known to provide neurological benefits to people who consume it regularly. According to neuroscience, folate reduces the incidence of Alzheimer's, so spinach is a very good idea for people at high risk of developing a neurological or cognitive disorder. Potassium is also an integral part of brain he alth and has been linked to increased blood flow to the brain and increased concentration and neural activity.

Stabilizes blood pressure

Spinach is very high in potassium and low in sodium. This composition of minerals is very beneficial for patients with high blood pressure as potassium lowers and sodium raises blood pressure. The folate in spinach also helps reduce high blood pressure and relaxes blood vessels.vessels while maintaining proper blood flow. By lowering blood pressure and relaxing the tension of blood vessels and arteries, you can reduce the load on the cardiovascular system and increase the oxygenation of organs and body systems for optimal functionality.

Helps in bone mineralization

Spinach is a good source of vitamin K, which helps in retaining calcium in the bone matrix, which leads to bone mineralization. In addition, other beneficial substances such as manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus also help in building strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.

Reduces the risk of cataracts

Lutein and zeaxanthin present in spinach act as powerful antioxidants, thus preventing exposure to ultraviolet rays that can lead to cataracts. They also reduce the effects of free radicals, which can be a major cause of cataracts and other eye diseases.

Speeds up metabolism

There is a reason why doctors recommend adding spinach to your diet. The amount of protein found in spinach is impressive for any vegetable, and they are easily broken down by enzymes into amino acids that humans need. They also increase the body's ability to heal wounds and provide a boost to the entire metabolism, keeping all organs functioning at an optimal level. In addition, a recent study shows that the thylakoid, found in spinach, can curb food cravings and hunger, which can further help with weight loss.weight.

Fights an ulcer

Spinach and some other vegetables have been found to have the ability to protect the lining of the stomach, thereby reducing the occurrence of stomach ulcers. In addition, the glycoglycerolipids found in spiny can increase the strength of the digestive tract, thus preventing any unwanted inflammation in this part of the body.

Helps fetal development

The folate found in spinach is essential for the growing fetus to develop its nervous system properly. Defects such as cleft palate or spinal cord can result from folate deficiency. Vitamin A contained in spinach is recommended for pregnant women to consume in large quantities. Vitamin A is essential for fetal lung development. These are some of the he alth benefits of spinach for women.

Reduces inflammation

Spinach has many anti-inflammatory compounds, more than a dozen. They are classified into the methylenedioxy-flavonoid glucuronide category, and spinach is one of the most powerful vegetables when it comes to reducing inflammation throughout the body. This not only protects the heart from dangerous inflammation and prevents cancer, but also reduces the inflammation and pain associated with conditions such as arthritis and gout, which affect millions of people around the world. These are important benefits of spinach for the body.

Treats and prevents cancer

Spinach is made up of various important components that have been found to hold promise in the treatment and prevention of various types ofcancer. Recent studies have shown that spinach is very effective against aggressive prostate cancer, and this is due to epoxyxanthophylls, which are unique carotenoids, along with neoxanthin and violaxanthin, which directly reduce tumor activity and the spread of cancer throughout the body.

Proteins for infant growth

Babies are encouraged to feed spinach, which will provide them with proteins, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. These nutrients lead to proportional development in the main stages of growth.

Nutritional properties

One cup of spinach leaves contains:

• 27 calories
• 0.86g protein;
• 30 milligrams calcium;
• 0.81g iron;
• 24 milligrams of magnesium;
• 167 milligrams of potassium;
• 2, 813 mcg vitamin A;
• 58 micrograms of folate.

Spinach also contains vitamin K, fiber, phosphorus and thiamin. Most of its calories come from protein and carbohydrates.

Spinach is a very versatile vegetable and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is available fresh, frozen or canned

Spinach is one of the he althiest vegetables to include as a staple in your diet. It is rich in nutrients and offers a number of he alth benefits. But spinach has useful properties and contraindications. Excessive consumption of this herb can be dangerous as it has some potential side effects.

Poor mineral absorption

Eating spinach can interfere with the body's absorption of minerals. It contains a lot of oxalic acid, which is known to bind to several essential mineral compounds such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc. Because of this, the body does not get enough of these elements. This can interfere with the normal functionality of our system and lead to various diseases associated with a lack of minerals. In this case, the beneficial properties of spinach and contraindications for women in particular are fighting.

Indigestion

Spinach is a rich source of fiber. Eating just a cup of cooked spinach provides nearly 6g of this nutrient. Even though fiber intake is good for he althy digestion, our body needs time to get used to it. This is why spinach can cause a number of stomach upsets such as gas in the stomach, bloating, cramps, and even constipation. To avoid this, try to incorporate it into your regular diet slowly.

Diarrhea

In the worst case of gastrointestinal upset caused by spinach, mild to moderate diarrhea can be experienced. This mostly happens when you over-consume high-fiber foods. Therefore, if spinach is taken along with other high-fiber foods, there is a possibility that fever and abdominal pain will appear.

Anemia

One of the side effects of spinach also causes anemia. Yes,spinach can sometimes make it difficult for the body to absorb the required amount of iron from ingested foods. The leafy vegetable itself is loaded with non-chemical or plant-based iron that the body cannot easily absorb. This can lead to iron deficiency.

Kidney stones

Spinach is high in purines. This is a certain group of organic compounds that enter our body in excess, turn into uric acid. This is very bad for kidney he alth as the presence of excessive uric acid can increase calcium deposition in the kidneys. As a result, small and medium-sized kidney stones develop. The oxalic acid content of spinach is also responsible as it combines with the calcium of the foods and forms calcium oxalate precipitation.

Gout

As stated earlier, spinach is high in purines, which are metabolized within our body and ultimately increase uric acid. So, if people are already prone to diseases such as gouty arthritis, it is necessary to stop the excessive consumption of spinach.

Allergic reactions

Although rare, spinach can sometimes cause allergic reactions. The plant material contains histamine, which may cause some minor pseudo-allergic effects. Allergy to immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the plant is also quite common.

Conclusions

Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green vegetable. Spinach has been shown tobenefits, it contains a large amount of all kinds of powerful nutrients.

But before using it, it is worth considering the beneficial properties and contraindications of spinach, especially for women. However, without a doubt, spinach is an incredibly he althy food.