Spinach - Nature Cures®

Also known as Spinacia oleracea

Popeye made himself ‘super strong’ by eating spinach, but he may also have been protecting himself against arthritis, colon cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and other diseases at the same time. The vitamin K provided by spinach is almost 200% of the suggested daily requirement in one serving of fresh spinach leaves and over 1000% in one serving of boiled spinach (which contains about six times as much spinach). Vitamin K1 activates osteocalcin, the major non-collagen protein in bone.

The nutrients in spinach can also help with conditions in which inflammation plays a role such as asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Since beta-carotene and vitamin C in spinach have anti-inflammatory properties, they can be helpful for reducing symptoms in some patients.

In addition, the magnesium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in spinach, two nutrients of which it is an excellent source, may help to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in people who suffer from them. Spinach also improves the learning capacity and motor skills and may significantly lessen brain damage from strokes and other neurological disorders.

A carotenoid found in spinach has been found to help with the treatment of prostate cancer. To absorb carotenoids from foods containing them must be consumed with fatty foods such as olive or sesame oil, nuts, nut or fish oils or avocado etc.

Cooked spinach is an excellent source of iron which is important for menstruating women who are at risk of iron deficiency. Boosting iron stores with spinach is a good idea, especially because, in comparison to red meat, a well-known source of iron, spinach provides iron for a lot less calories and is totally fat-free.

Iron is an integral component of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. During pregnancy and breast feeding the need for iron increases. Growing children and adolescents also have increased needs for iron. One serving of boiled spinach will provide 35.7% of the daily suggested requirement for iron.

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