Have you ever thought why your mom insisted you ate your spinach? She perhaps knew that it will do you a world of good. Let’s understand what the spinach offers us as benefits.
Botanical name - spinacia oleracea
Ayurvedic name - palankya
Spinach in Tamil – pasalai keerai
Spinach in Hindi – palak
The spinach is native to Persia. It is still called “Persian greens” in China.
The spinach is extensively used in all cuisines especially in Middle Eastern, Indian and European cuisines.
It will grow well in climates that are not too hot. The best suited time is few weeks before winter and few weeks after winter.
The spinach can be eaten raw or cooked.
Constituents present in spinach
The spinach has several vitamins, minerals, various phytonutrients and pigments.
The spinach is very beneficial for eyesight. This is owing to the presence of beta-carotene in spinach. It can also help in preventing
Spinach also protects the eyes from harm caused by free radicals as well.
The spinach is to be eaten in cooked form to benefit from the beta-carotene in it.
Consuming spinach daily helps in providing potassium, antioxidants and calcium to the body. These are beneficial to the nervous system in the body. Folate can prevent Alzheimer’s. Potassium keeps the brain healthy. It leads to improved Intelligence and concentration.
Spinach is unique. It has high potassium and very low sodium content.
This combination is good for blood pressure as the potassium aids to lower the blood pressure. The folate in spinach keeps the blood vessels relaxed and hence keeps the blood flow smooth. This also helps in lowering blood pressure. This in turn works as a way for better functioning of the cardiovascular system. All body organs will benefit from better oxygenation leading to better functionality.
Spinach has antioxidant properties (C0-Q10). This helps in making the body muscles stronger, especially the heart muscles as they have to pump blood to the entire body. The C0-Q10plays a major role in preventing
High blood pressure
Heart failure
Hyperlipidaemia
Coronary heart diseases
Supports in making bones stronger
Vitamin K is present in spinach. The vitamin K works to retain the calcium in the bones, to help in the process of bone mineralisation.
The other minerals which are in spinach and work towards making the bones stronger are manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc and phosphorous.
All the above mentioned constituents of spinach help in preventing
Osteoporosis and also lead to health nails and teeth.
The spinach has zeaxanthin and lutein components. These are strong antioxidants which protect the eyes from harsh UV rays that lead to cataracts. The eyes can be protected from the bad effects of free radicals which cause other eye problems as well.
Spinach is a wonder food owing to the high content of proteins in it.
It improves the metabolic rate and results in the proper functioning of the organs in the body.
The proteins in spinach get converted to amino acids and form mammal proteins these help healing wounds, help muscle development and boosts the overall metabolism. All of this results in the organs functioning optimally.
There is thylakoid in spinach. This element can help in weight loss by enabling the person to control the hunger and cravings.
The spinach has glycoglycerolipids which work towards protecting the mucous membrane of the stomach. This also enables in preventing inflammation the digestive tract.
Spinach has the power to prevent as well as treat many types of cancer. The constituents that work towards this are tocopherol, folate, chlorophyllin, carotenoids. These help in arresting the cancer from spreading in the body.
