Anti-Aging - A Cancer Fighter and a Cardio Helper - Could Spinach Be the Answer?
Anti-Aging - A Cancer Fighter and a CardioHelper - Could Spinach Be the Answer? - A cancer-fighter and cardio-helper,
spinach tops the list as far as green leafy vegetables are concerned. Much like
broccoli, it provides an excellent source of vitamin A, C and K. These
nutrients are important antioxidants that work to reduce the amounts of free
radicals in the body. Also it is a surprisingly good source of calcium at 25%
per cup.
Spinach is a rich source of iron and is
high in folate. Considered a herbal medicine for anemia in China. Eating
foods high in folate is important because folate helps your body change a
potentially harmful chemical called homocysteine into safe molecules. Also
known as the anti-ageing vegetable, spinach slows down age related degeneration
and prevents premature aging.
It is loaded with lutein which is an
antioxidant, important for preventing age related macular degeneration
(ARMD) from occurring, especially for people over the age of 50. Lutein is also
thought to be beneficial for the prevention of eye problems like glaucoma.
Spinach is thought to help prevent and fight cancer, build strong bones, promote
gastrointestinal health and discourage heart attacks, even if you already have
cardiovascular issues. It is a documented anti-inflammatory agent, which means
that it can sooth infected and inflamed parts of your body, like stomach
ulcers.
Spinach is also used to prevent the bone
loss associated with osteoporosis and for its anti-inflammatory properties
in easing the pain of arthritis. Good for the heart and circulatory system it
has energy-boosting properties. If you are a vegetarian, it provides a great
low-calorie, non-animal source of iron and magnesium. Both are essential to
muscle development.
Spinach is an excellent source of iron,
which is particularly important for menstruating women, who are more at risk of
iron deficiency. It is a good source of selenium and magnesium which is needed
to maintain bones and joints and essential for healthy immune functioning.
Spinach is a good source of folic acid
and it was the first purified and manufactured form of folic acid. Boiling
spinach destroys the folic acid. It is a rich source of minerals, vitamins,
pigments and phytonutrients and is loaded with flavonoids which act as
antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. At least 13 different
flavonoid compounds have been discovered by Researchers. Flavonoids act as
anti-cancer substances.
Spinach is a natural nutritious powerhouse,
the high calcium content it contains helps in promoting the strength of bones
which can help in preventing various bone related disorders. Being an excellent
source of beta-carotene, spinach reduces the risk of developing cataracts along
with aiding in the protection of the body against heart diseases and life
threatening cancer.
Popeye was not the only believer in the
plentiful benefits of spinach, nutritionists and dieticians, and
increasingly the medical profession as a whole have come to understand that
spinach truly This is one of the best healthy foods you can eat. It contains so
many valuable nutrients, it's a wonder that more people do not use it as part
of their healthy diet.
There is a higher amount of calcium in
spinach than other vegetables and it is very low in calories with only
about 7 calories for 1 cup of spinach. An excellent source of vitamin A which
helps blood coagulate and which, along with calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous,
is important for strong bones.
Spinach is rich in breath enhancing
chlorophyll. It is the best food source of alpha-lipoic acid, which acts as
an antioxidant and slows the natural process of mental decline that takes place
as we age. The strength of spinach lies in its high content of a large number
of nutrients that work together. Though most often used as a food, it has
medicinal value as well.
After reading
about all the vitamins and nutrients present in spinach I am sure you will
agree that it really is a Superfood and one that we should include in our diet
as often as possible. Some simple changes you can make to your diet is to swap
lettuce for spinach in salads, burgers and sandwiches. Adding lightly cooked
spinach to your cooked meals along with your regular vegetables.
I like to use
baby leaf spinach in a smoothie. Just blend it in with the normal ingredients
you would use, it will give your smoothie a greenish color and the taste is
great. This is the best way I know to get a large amount of spinach into your
diet. This is also a great way to get kids to eat more greens, kids love
smoothies and they don't often ask what's in them, so pack in some spinach and
follow your grandmothers advice
"Eat your greens!"
