Where Did Spinach Come From?
The English used to refer to Spinach as ‘the Spanish vegetable’ long before its name was shortened to Spinach. Many years later, in the 1960’s the vegetable became famous with the cartoon character, Popeye. Popeye was used as a model for children. Parents would tell their children to eat spinach so they too can grow up big and strong, just like Popeye. “Spinach is a member of the plant family called Amaranthaceae that is native to central and southwestern Asia where it has been grown for thousands of years. Modern day spinach was believed to first grow in parts of India and Iran. Arab travelers brought spinach to the Mediterranean region sometime around the eight century A.D where it is still commonly cooked with today, frequently making an appearance in Greek, Italian, and French cuisine.” Source: Dr. Axe
Health Benefits of Spinach are Endless
Spinach has long been considered one of the healthiest foods. It has global reach too and it is used in many different cuisines throughout the world. It’s also readily available in mass and it is easy to cook with. Spinach can be purchased throughout the year, although it grows the best from early spring through the late fall. Nutritionists recommend to each the spinach within several days of purchase and to thoroughly wash the spinach before consumption.
Spinach is very low in fat and almost absent of cholesterol. Spinach is loaded with vitamins and minerals and other nutrients such as zinc and niacin, protein, fiber, vitamin A, B6, C, E, K, thiamin, folate, calcium, iron, potassium and copper. Meat-eaters who often wonder where their protein will come from on a diet absent of meat will do well to turn to spinach. 3.5 ounces of raw spinach is loaded with 3g of protein and 188% of the daily Vitamin A that you need.
Studies show that consuming spinach can defend against cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Spinach works by detoxifying the body and reducing inflammation, one of the main factors in heart disease.
Your Digestion, Muscle Mass and Bone Density will improve with Spinach
Spinach is about 3/10 fiber. Fiber can aid your body in preventing the body from absorbing cholesterol.
Potassium works to retain the body’s muscle mass and main bone density. Potassium is a key ingredient in controlling the body’s heart rate. Magnesium is key to preserving the body’s nerves and their functionality and works hand in hand with Potassium to keep the body’s heart rate and blood pressure together, in check.
Spinach is loaded with B6, E, K and A
These are not just numbers and letters. We are talking about one vegetable, which improves brain health and prevents degenerative diseases of the brain such as Azheimer’s and related dementias. Vitamin A is crucial for bone growth, our immune systems, and our eyes. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, which are widely known to reduce the risk of cancer.
Vitamin B is a complex and includes 8 vitamins, responsible for the health of our liver and eyes. It also can be used to treat or prevent memory loss and diabetes. As Dee Sandquiest, MS, RD, CD from Everyday Health, says ‘“Vitamin B6 helps a lot of the systems in your body function,” says Dee Sandquist, MS, RD, CD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “It is important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular, and nervous system function. It is one of the vitamins that are behind the scenes.” Vitamin K can work to strengthen the bones, preventing against osteoporosis and potential bone fractures.
Spinach has endless health benefits and we hope you will start to incorporate spinach into your diet today.
