Spinach is undeniably a versatile green vegetable —not only healthy and delicious, it’s also known for being the world’s easiest side dish—simply poke the bag with a fork, microwave and it’s ready to go.
Spinach is undeniably a versatile green vegetable – not only healthy and delicious, it’s also known for being the world’s easiest side dish – simply poke the bag with a fork, microwave and it’s ready to go.
But what of its acclaimed health benefits?
Why Is Spinach Considered a ‘Super-food’?
Spinach is one of your five-a-day as well as being a powerhouse of vital nutrients, such as vitamins A, C & K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, folate and iron.
Green vegetables like spinach are also known for their high zinc content, which is important in any diet but especially for vegans.
It also contains a small amount of dietary fibre which is great for gut health, and natural bioactive substances called carotenoids which are found in carrots too.
What Are the Benefits of Adding Spinach to Your Diet?
1. It protect your eyes
2. It is nutrient-rich and supports healthy bones
3. It supports heart health
Spinach, like beetroot, is naturally rich in compounds called nitrates; these may help improve blood flow and pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, reducing arterial stiffness and promoting dilation. A reduction in blood pressure helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies suggest that nitrate-rich foods may also help heart attack survival.
Can Spinach Strengthen Muscle Function?
According to research, eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables every day could boost muscle function.
The 2021 study, published in the Journal of Nutrition from Edith Cowan University, Australia, found that people who consumed a nitrate-rich diet, predominantly from vegetables, had significantly better muscle function of their lower limb.
