Is spinach good for you? Spinach is good for you as it contains a lot of good antioxidant health benefits which are essential in preventing chronic health diseases.
Is spinach good for you? iStock-photo credit: Zakharova_Natalia
Here are the nutritional benefits of 3.5 ounces of spinach:
- Calories-23
- Water-91%
- Protein- 2.9 grams
- Carbs- 3.6 grams
- Sugar-0.4 grams
- Fiber-2.2 grams
- Fat- 0.4 grams
Spinach is high in insoluble fiber and low in carbs. The fiber helps to add bulk to stools that allow food to go through the digestive system. The result of this helps to prevent constipation. Some of the important plant compounds that spinach contains are:
- Lutein- which can boost eye health.
- Nitrates- This can help improve heart health.
- Kaempferol- This antioxidant can decrease the risk of chronic health diseases.
- Zeaxanthin- This compound can also help boost eye health.
A small study was done on 8 healthy people that found that eating spinach can help prevent oxidative damage. There have been several human studies that show that spinach consumption can reduce the risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Spinach is known to contain a high number of nitrates and studies show that it can lower blood pressure levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. Spinach is high in Vitamin K which can be a problem if you are on blood thinners. And why is this? Because it is responsible for blood clotting.
The Bottom Line is spinach is good for you because it contains a high number of antioxidants which can help reduce the risk of a lot of chronic health diseases.
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References
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Moser B, Szekeres T, Bieglmayer C, Wagner KH, Mišík M, Kundi M, Zakerska O, Nersesyan A, Kager N, Zahrl J, Hoelzl C, Ehrlich V, Knasmueller S. Impact of spinach consumption on DNA stability in peripheral lymphocytes and on biochemical blood parameters: results of a human intervention trial. Eur J Nutr.
