Spinach: It’s a superfood indeed
A lot of people cringe when they hear of spinach. They say this vegetable is too bland for their liking. Most people I know who actually eat spinach do so at the instruction of doctors and nutritionists. The legendary cartoon Popeye always reached out for a can of spinach whenever he sensed danger lurking around. His muscles would bulge and he would be invincible. That scene is rather exaggerated, but spinach is indeed a superfood, as we will explore today.
Glycoglycerolipids found in spinach help protect the lining of the digestive tract from damage. Spinach is low in fibre, 17% in 180g of cooked spinach, but this content together with the glycoclycerolipids protects the lining so that it is kept from constant damage.
Anti-cancer carotenoids, epoxyxanthophylls are in abundance in spinach. They help fight the free radicals that cause the development of cancerous cells.
The flavonoids and carotenoids found in spinach provides anti-inflammatory benefits as well as antioxidant benefits. Our blood vessels are susceptible to damage from oxidant stress and intake of spinach has been associated with decreased risk of several blood vessel related problems, including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
Just like most vegetables, spinach is low in calories. One cup of cooked spinach (180g) contains just 41 calories. This makes spinach a healthy weight-loss food. Maintains bone health
