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Eat Your Greens

The Many Reasons to Enjoy Spinach

By Craig MiddletonPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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There’s something about spinach (and other leafy greens for that matter) that turns people off. No matter how many times you hear that you should eat your greens, people tend to pass on the spinach.

Passing on spinach could mean passing on a whole host of health benefits. This leafy vegetable is what is known as a superfood. It’s packed full of nutrients that can help you to live a healthier life. There are a variety of ways to enjoy spinach—lightly sautéed with olive oil and garlic, stuffed into an omelet, even raw. There’s a way to prepare it that can please just about any palate. Here are seven reasons why spinach should be added to your diet.

Improved Eye Health

You rely on your eyes to see everything around you. Over time, however, age and environmental factors can cause your vision to decline. Spinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene and lutein, two nutrients that are important for maintaining the health of your eyes. These nutrients can help to prevent itchy, dry eyes and protect the eyes from the effects of UV rays. Lutein can also help to protect your eyes from macular degeneration. a

Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a condition in which you have high blood pressure. When your blood pressure is too high, your risk for serious health issues increases significantly. Spinach contains a high potassium content (higher than bananas) and has no sodium in it. Potassium can aid in reducing blood pressure. The vegetable also contains folate, a nutrient that can help to relax your blood vessels and allow for better blood flow throughout your body. Lowering high blood pressure aids in improving your cardiovascular health. It also helps to ensure that the rest of your body’s organs get sufficient oxygen to function properly.

Boost Your Digestive Health

Spinach can boost your digestive health in a few ways. First, it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can help to keep your system regular. It also contains glycoglycerolipids, which have been shown to strengthen the lining of your digestive tract. This aids in reducing the risk of inflammation.

Detoxifies Your System

One of the things that makes spinach a superfood is that it contains a high level of antioxidants like glutathione. These antioxidants help to detoxify your body by removing free radicals, which can otherwise contribute to serious conditions such as cancer. The anti-inflammatory properties of spinach also aid in reducing your risk of developing dangerous diseases.

Better Looking Skin

The antioxidants contained within spinach are great for your skin. Antioxidants aid in normal skin cell development, improve capillary strength and boost collagen production. This can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The vitamin A content in spinach can also help your skin retain moisture better, making it appear plumper while also reducing skin dryness and psoriasis. All of these factors can aid in a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Healing Benefits

When you get cut, your body begins the natural healing process. One of the nutrients responsible for aiding in wound healing is vitamin K. Spinach is chock full of vitamin K. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps to produce the essential proteins required for blood clotting.

Improved Brain Health

The nutrients in spinach, including folate, potassium, and various antioxidants, are excellent for brain health. It has been shown that folate helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also a link between potassium and an increased flow of blood to the brain. Better blood flow can help to increase cognition and concentration.

With so many benefits, why wouldn’t you want to add some spinach to your diet? If you’re not a fan of eating it raw, you can easily throw it into a smoothie with other fruits and vegetables. You can also cook it in any one of many ways. Take a look for some recipes to try and get yourself some spinach during your next grocery trip.

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