Vegetable - Spinach Leaves - Health Benefits

Spinach Leaves

1. Cancer prevention :Spinach and other green vegetables contain chlorophyll which has shown to be effective at blocking the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines which are generated when grilling foods at a high temperature.
2. Combats Hair Loss :Hair loss is often caused due to the deficiency of iron. This mineral strengthens the hair strands by enabling the blood cells to carry oxygen to the hair follicles. Deficiency of iron causes anaemia which results in hair loss among other adverse effects. Spinach is rich in folate and iron. While folate aids the creation of red blood cells, iron helps them carry oxygen, thus combating hair loss.
3. Diabetes management : spinach contains an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in patients with diabetes. Studies on alpha-lipoic acid have also shown decreases in peripheral neuropathy and/or autonomic neuropathy in diabetics.
4. Baby Spinach :
   • Basic Nutrition :A 1-cup serving of raw baby spinach contains just 7 calories, is fat free and contains 1 gram of filling fiber. You may also enjoy your spinach cooked. A 1/2-cup serving of cooked spinach contains 20 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. In addition, baby spinach is loaded with vitamins and minerals.
   • Vitamin-Rich :Baby spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin K and folate. One cup of raw spinach provides more than the daily value for vitamin K, which is important for proper blood clotting. Likewise, that same serving contains more than 50 percent of the daily value of vitamin A. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy vision, immune function, and skin and bone health. A 1-cup serving also contains 15 percent of the daily value of folate. Folate is a vitamin that is especially important for woman of childbearing age, because it helps to prevent neural tube defects in developing babies.
   • Meeting Your Minerals Needs :As for minerals, baby spinach is a moderate source of potassium, copper, iron and magnesium. A 1-cup serving of raw spinach provides you with 4 percent of the daily value for potassium and 8 percent of the daily value for magnesium. In addition, a serving of baby spinach contains 5 percent of the daily value of iron. Iron is essential because it is part of all cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body's organs and tissues
5. Asthma prevention : The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, of which spinach is an excellent source. Apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots are also rich sources of beta-carotene.
6. Bone health : Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture. Adequate vitamin K consumption is important for good health, as it acts as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, improves calcium absorption and may reduce urinary excretion of calcium.
7. Anti-inflammatory :The high alkalinity properties in spinach makes it the perfect choice of food for people suffering inflammatory ailments, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Acidosis :Its alkaline minerals are essential for cleaning out the tissues and maintaining the alkalinity of the blood, making it effective in combating acidosis.
9. Eye problems : The abundance content of vitamin A and carotenoids help prevent age-related eye problems. When combined with endive and carrot juice, it effectively helps prevent macular degeneration, night blindness, and the development of cataracts.
10. Lowering blood pressure :Because of its high potassium content, spinach is recommended to those with high blood pressure to negate the effects of sodium in the body. A low potassium intake may be just as big of a risk factor in developing high blood pressure as a high sodium intake.
11. Osteoporosis :The high content of vitamin K is essential in anchoring calcium in bones, making it important to bone health.
12. Promotes regularity :Spinach is high in fibre and water content, both of which help to prevent constipation and promote a healthy digestive tract.
13. Healthy skin and hair : Spinach in high in vitamin A, which is necessary for sebum production to keep hair moisturised. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. Spinach and other leafy greens high in vitamin C are imperative for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair.
14. Bleeding gums :Spinach juice when combined with carrot juice, effectively restore this disorder caused by deficiency of vitamin C and too much consumption of refined sugar.
15. Pregnancy and lactation : Being a rich supplier of folate and iron, spinach juice provides the required nutrients that are necessary for the development of the foetus, preventing threatened abortion and accidental hemorrhage. Consumption of spinach juice also improves the quality and quantity of the lactating mother.
16. Digestive tracts :The high fibre content in spinach makes it a remarkable intestinal tract scrubber. It cleans out the system by removing the accumulated wastes in the digestive tracts by its mildly laxative effect. More importantly, it also repairs, heals and nourishes the tracts and tones up their functions. An excellent help for constipation, colitis, poor digestion or stomach ulcers.
17. Lowers Hypertension :Hypertension or high blood pressure is responsible for causing kidney disease, heart ailments and stroke. Consuming spinach is beneficial in lowering hypertension as some of its constituents help to reduce stress and anxiety. The nutrients play a critical role in keeping the balance of Na- K pump by lowering the K (potassium) in your body. Vitamin C also plays an important role in lowering hypertension.

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