Health Benefits Of Spinach

Spinach is a superfood. I eat it a lot to boost my health. Spinach is a high fiber food that also contains high amounts of carotenoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron, zinc, niacin, folic acid, calcium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Spinach is also an incredible weight loss food. It is a leafy green vegetable, spinach possesses a delicate texture with a lush jade green color. It is part of the family also containing Swiss chard and beets and possesses similar flavor – Swiss chard’s saltiness and beet green’s bitterness. Furthermore, the antioxidants in spinach protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer, due to their high carotenoid content.

Spinach really is an iron rich food. According to the nutrient database by the United States Department of Agriculture or USDA, the iron content in spinach is higher than that of various meats. However, spinach falls short compared to other iron sources when it comes to the type of iron it contains.

Spinach contains a good amount of oxalate or oxalic acid, one of the worst absorption inhibitors. Iron absorption inhibitors affect absorption in a negative way. These substances bind easily with iron. The results are compounds, which cannot be absorbed by the body. You can find oxalate in plants, animals and humans. Oxalate binds with the iron content in spinach causing most of spinach’s iron content, unusable. It is because of oxalate that your body can only obtain more or less half of the iron content in spinach.

Nutrients In Spinach

Nutritional Profile. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and vitamin C. It is a very good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein and choline.

 Health Benefits Of Spinach

1) Prevents and Reverses Aging
2) Boosts Immune System and Cures Ulcers
3) Contains high amounts of folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B
4) Lowers risk of Heart Attacks and Fights Cancer
5) Aids the Liver

6) Aids in eyesight and prevents cataracts
7) Lowers Blood Pressure
8) High Amounts of Easily Digestible Protein
9) Very high in Calcium and Vitamin K
10) High in Potassium, Manganese, Iron, and Zinc

Popular Detox Smoothies

Pineapple Banana Detox Smoothie

• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 banana
• 1 apple
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup water

Green Protein Detox Smoothie

• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 banana
• 2 cups mixed greens (I like kale, chard and spinach)

Glowing Green Detox Smoothie

• 1 kiwi
• 1 banana
• ¼ cup pineapple
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup water

Apple Berry Detox Smoothie

• 1 cup mixed berries (like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries)
• 1 large apple
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup water (or unsweetened almond milk)