What do spinach do for your body

The data indicated that people who ate one to two servings of leafy greens daily had the same cognitive abilities of a person 11 years younger than those who consumed no leafy greens. Spinach is a source of naturally occurring nitrates, compounds that open up blood vessels to improve blood flow and ease the workload on the heart. In one small study, published in The Journal of Nutrition , 11 men and seven women consumed four different nitrate-rich drinks, including a spinach beverage.

Researchers found that blood nitrate levels increased after downing all four drinks. The spinach drink, in addition to those made from beetroot juice and rocket salad another leafy green , also lowered blood pressure.

Diastolic blood pressure remained lower five hours after ingesting the spinach and rocket drinks. Diastolic is the lower number on the blood pressure reading, which indicates the amount of pressure in your arteries between beats. One of the antioxidants in spinach, called lutein, has been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration AMD , an eye disease that can blur the sharp, central vision required for activities like reading and driving.

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss for people age 50 and older. There is currently no cure or treatment to reverse the condition, so prevention is key. In one Japanese study, researchers examined the eyes of 11 healthy nonsmokers who consumed 75 grams of frozen spinach containing 10 mg of lutein daily for two months. The intake of lutein-rich spinach increased blood lutein levels, and it also increased measures of macular pigment optical density MPOD. This research indicates that spinach may help curb AMD risk.

While I recommend incorporating spinach into both raw and cooked dishes, some research shows that not cooking the greens is the best way to preserve its lutein content. In a Swedish study, spinach was purchased at a supermarket and then cooked using various methods for up to 90 minutes.

The longer the spinach was boiled, the lower the remaining lutein level. When fried at a high temperature, a large percentage of the lutein degraded within just two minutes. The folate and iron help boost hair growth , as well as the vitamin A which helps the scalp glands to produce sebum, our natural conditioner. The high levels of vitamin A help our skin repel different types of bacteria, as well as reducing overall infections.

Due to the lutein content in the leaves, it helps prevent the thickening of artery walls that lead to heart attacks. Counting towards your daily intake of magnesium and folate , and helping to keep it alkaline, spinach helps generate energy in the body. It has a whole range of benefits attributed to its mega whack of nutrients — in short, add it to your diet.

There are 7 calories, 0. Can spinach help you lose weight? Not long; about four days in the fridge, though you can freeze it or buy baby spinach ready-frozen which can last months. Smoothies with spinach are a good way of getting your daily dose, particularly according to some studies that recommend raw leaves overcooked.

Panagos adds a few handfuls to many of her smoothie recipes, including her Green Boost Smoothie which is a good combo of antioxidants, essential fats and fibre. It contains baby spinach, cucumber, parsley, pineapple, avocado, lemon, ginger and flax seeds.

Or… should I eat spinach every day? Can you eat too much spinach? That said, eaten in vast or excessive quantities, spinach can, yes, be associated with some mild side effects. This means that, if you eat too much of it, it could cause bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhoea and, occasionally, fever, as your body tries to metabolise it all. Spinach can feature in a whole range of dishes all year round, though it's in season in spring. Be prepared that, due to its water content Benefits of cooked spinach?

Vits E and A, protein, fibre, zinc, thiamin, calcium, iron, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Like this article? This will also help lower the risk of macular degeneration; which is why most people are advised to eat more and more greens. Also read: Vitamins for Good Eyesight. Repels bacteria and viruses Spinach is high in vitamin A which helps our skin and mucous membranes to repel various kinds of bacteria and viruses effectively.

Moreover, this vitamin is necessary for sebum production to keep hair moisturised. Vitamin A is good for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. So load up on more greens to reduce the risk of hair loss and infections. Promotes heart health Vitamin C in spinach is known to have the ability to prevent wrinkles and protect us from eye diseases, prenatal health problems and cardiovascular diseases. It is also the presence of lutein content that prevents thickening of walls of arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart attacks.

Moreover, it contains nitrite that not only helps in preventing the occurrence of heart attack but also cures the heart diseases associated with fat deposition.

Keeps you energized Spinach provides you with the required levels of magnesium in your body which helps you to generate energy for your day to day chores. Spinach is also a great source of folate , a nutrient that helps your body turn food into usable energy.

Moreover, making your body more alkalised can help you keep energised through the day and spinach is one veggie that is alkaline in nature. Now that you are aware about the several health benefits of spinach, try your hand at some of our best spinach recipes. Spanish Artichoke and Spinach Dip Who said that if it is green, it's boring?