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Improve your health by taking advantage of the great benefits of spinach
This vegetable native to the Asian continent contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals that help improve your health.
When we think of spinach, it is almost inevitable that we do not remember Popeye, that character from the cartoons who, when consuming this vegetable, acquired super strength.
In fact, when we were little, they motivated us to eat them to be as strong as the unforgettable sailor and defeat any enemy like the well-known Brutus.
Today we already know that eating some spinach leaves will not take out muscles as happened with Popeye, but we do know that this plant contains wonderful nutrients that do a lot of good to our body, and contribute to keeping us healthy.
Today I want to show you the benefits it brings.
Nutritional contributions of Spinach
Spinach is rich in minerals and vitamins such as manganese or magnesium, vitamin A, C, E, K, fiber, phosphorus and thiamine; it also contains a low caloric intake, which allows us to stay in shape.
According to nutritionists, this vegetable is a great source of iron, so if you combine it with citrus fruits, rich in vitamin C, you will improve the absorption of that plant-based iron.
Another contribution is calcium. One cup of spinach leaves contains at least one 250 mg of this mineral.
On the other hand, we find dietary magnesium which is necessary for energy metabolism, muscle function, nerves, heart rate, it also helps to have a healthy immune system and maintain blood pressure.
Benefits of consuming spinach
With these great nutritional contributions, there is no doubt that spinach also has extensive benefits for our health.
The first of them is the antioxidant known as alpha lipoic acid, which, according to various research, reduces glucose levels, increases insulin sensitivity, and helps people with diabetes prevent oxidative changes induced by stress.
As if that were not enough, spinach, like many vegetables, contains chlorophyll, which has been shown to be effective against the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines.
For asthmatics, it is also an ideal food. According to an investigation carried out in 433 children with asthma, aged between 6 and 18 years, and 537 without asthma, it revealed that the risks of developing this pathology are lower in people who have a high consumption of certain nutrients, like beta-carotene, which is contained in spinach.
The potassium in spinach also helps people who suffer from blood pressure, as it helps in reducing the effects of sodium in the body.
In addition, the potassium in spinach helps maintain the electrical conductivity of the brain, improves the signals between neurons, allowing us to think more clearly and respond more quickly.
As I mentioned earlier, this superfood contains vitamin K, which contributes to our bone health.
According to nutritionists, this vitamin acts as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, which improves calcium absorption and reduces the amount of calcium expelled by the body through urine.
The fiber and water in spinach help prevent constipation, and improve the health of our digestive tract.
On the other hand, in terms of aesthetics, this vegetable native to the Asian continent, has a large amount of vitamin A, which regulates the production of sebum in the pores of the skin and hair follicles to hydrate the skin and hair.
Vitamin A, as explained by specialists, is necessary for the growth of body tissues, such as skin and hair, so spinach is ideal for healthy skin and healthy hair.
How to get the most out of spinach?
He emphasizes that it is best to choose them fresh and ecological, since this guarantees us that no pesticides have been applied to them.
Regarding their appearance, it is recommended to choose those that have an intense, uniform color and without bruises. As an important fact, this plant can be frozen for its conservation and subsequent preparation.
After washing them, you have to dry them very well, since if you don't, they could start to soften due to their high water content.
Regarding cooking, the spinach should not be allowed to exceed the boiling time, since a long time in the kitchen will cause it to lose much of its properties.
It is recommended that once boiled they should be passed through very cold water to stop the cooking process.
