Health Benefrts of  Spinach

Spinach Is One of the Most Nutritious Foods Available
One cup of the leafy green vegetable contains far more than your daily requirements of vitamin K
and vitamin A, almost all the manganese and folate your body needs and nearly 40 percent of your
magnesium requirement. It is an excellent source of more than 20 different measurable nutrients,
including dietary fiber, calcium and protein. . 1 cup has only 40 calories

Cancer-Fighting Antioxidants Abound in Fresh Spinach
Spinach contains more than a dozen individual flavonoid compounds, which work together as
cancer-fighting antioxidants and neutralize free radicals in the body and thus help to prevent cancer.

Fresh Green Spinach Improves Cardiovascular Health
Spinach is an excellent promoter of cardiovascular health. The antioxidant properties of spinach
(water-soluble in the form of vitamin C and fat-soluble beta-carotene) work together to promote
good cardiovascular health by preventing the harmful oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol
is a danger to the heart and arteries. Magnesium in spinach works toward healthy blood pressure
levels. A salad-size portion of spinach will work to lower high blood pressure within hours. A serving
of spinach contains 65 percent of your daily requirement of folate, which converts harmful,
stroke-inducing chemicals into harmless compounds.

Eating Spinach Combats Ovarian, Prostate Cancers
Spinach, contains a carotenoid that makes prostate cancers destroy themselves and, prevents
prostrate cancer from reproducing itself. Spinach also contains kaempferol, a strong antioxidant
that prevents the formation of cancerous cells. Women who have a high intake of this flavonoid
show a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

Spinach Improves Brain Function, Protects Against Aging
This dark green spinach  leaf will protect your brain function from premature aging and slow old
age's negative effects on your metal capabilities. Spinach  prevents the harmful effects of oxidation
on your brain.and brain function loss.

Spinach is Beneficial for Vision
Spinac helps prevent the formation of cataracts in the eye.The lLutein and zeaxanthin are powerful
antioxidants that protect the eye for UV radiation damage, particularly from exposure to sunlight,
which is one of the leading causes of cataracts  The beta carotene in spinach ( approximately equal
to that in carrots) is beneficial to eyesight. (NB The bioavailability of beta carotene (the amount the
human body can absorb and process from your food) from both carrots and spinach is significantly
enhanced when they are eaten cooked. Beta carotene is less bioavailable when raw

Spinach for Sun Protection
Spinach contains Co-enzyme Q10, Folate, Glutathione, Lutein,  Omega 3 essential fatty acids,  
Polyphenols , Vitamin C,  Vitamin E , and   Zeaxanthin. These nutrients are currently known to
increase your skin's Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level. This makes spinach a potent whole food
nutrition source to reduce your risk of ultra violet sun damage to your skin and thus the risks of
sunburn or various skin cancers:
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Spinach - The Supreme Super Food

Spinach is one of the most nutritious foods on earth..

Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially when fresh, steamed, or quickly boiled. It is a
rich source of vitamin A (and lutein), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, folate,
iron, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin,
selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. Recently, opioid peptides called rubiscolins have also been
found in spinach. It is a source of folic acid (Vitamin B9), and this vitamin was first purified from
spinach.

Calorie for calorie, spinach with its delicate texture and jade green color provide more nutrients than
any other food.

Although spinach is available throughout the year, its season runs from
March through May and
from
September through October when it is the freshest, has the best flavor and is most readily
available.

There are four main types of spinachreadily :available
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Savoy spinach
Savoy has crinkly, dark green curly leaves. The texture is different from the
flat leaf but tastes equally as good. Look for fresh bunches of savoy at your
local market.
Flatleaf or smooth-leaf spinach
Flat or smooth leaf spinach has unwrinkled, spade-shaped leaves that
have a milder taste than the savoy. This variety is commonly used for
canned and frozen spinach as well as for soups, baby foods, and other
processed foods
Semi-savoy
Semi-savoy is a mix of the savoy and flat-leaf. variety, and h has slightly curly
leaves. The slightly curly leaves have a similar texture to the savoy leaves
but are easier to clean. This variety is usually sold fresh. It is also found in
processed foods.
Baby spinach leaves are of the flat-leaf variety and are usually no longer
than three inches. These tender, sweet leaves are more expensive and are
sold loose rather than in bunches. It is often used in salads, but can also
be lightly cooked.
All types have stalks that can be eaten.
Fresh spinach should be dark green, fresh-looking, and free from any evidence of decay.  Slightly
wilted spinach can be revived to freshness in cold water.
Preparation

Spinach grows in sandy soil,
so wash it thoroughly to get rid
of the grainy, sandy particles.  

Raw
If spinach is to be eaten raw,
dry it completely by using a
salad spinner or by blotting it
with paper towels. Slightly
damp spinach can be steamed
or microwaved without adding
any additional water

Blanching
Drop leaves into a large pot of
boiling water. Once the leaves
slightly wilt, drain and squeeze
out excess moisture.

Microwaving
Place washed, slightly wet
spinach in a microwavable
dish, loosely cover, and cook
until tender (4 to 7 minutes for
½ pound of spinach).

Sautèing
Blanched spinach can be
sautèed quickly with a quick
spray of oil. If cooked in a
non-stick pan, only a spray is
needed for several cups of
chopped spinach.

Steaming
If you plan to steam the
spinach, do not dry leaves after
washing - only 5 to 10 minutes.
Popeye had the right idea when he  placed spinach at the top of the lfood list.  Although you won't
experience the instant results that Popeye did, the health benefits associated with eating raw and
cooked spinach are real and should not be under-estimated. While raw spinach is an extremely
popular leafy substance in many salads, experts suggest eating spinach cooked whenever
possible, as. cooking makes the nutrients and anti-oxidant carotenoids found in spinach easier f to
absorb
Spinach Tip
Spinach reacts adversely to a lot
of metals. Don't chop it with a
pure carbon-steel blade, cook it
in aluminum, or serve it on silver.
An Abundant LifeStyle - Your Guide to Health and Nutrition