If you grew up watching Popeye, you probably witnessed how the sailor would magically experience superhuman strength every time he consumed spinach. Although spinach will not provide you with an instant surge of enough energy to lift a car, it is considered a superfood. What’s the history behind spinach and why is it so good for you? Let’s find out.

Family

Along with another leafy green vegetable, chard, as well as quinoa and beets, spinach is a part of the curiously-named goosefoot family, also known as the chenopodiaceae family. Three different types of spinach are available, which include smooth leaf, savoy, and semi-savoy.

Origins

The exact beginnings of spinach remain uncertain, but the food is believed to have origins in ancient Persia. What is known is that the food had spread to Europe by the 12th century, where it was renowned as a health food. In fact, cuisine that included spinach and cream sauces are often described as Florentine.

Popeye’s Veggie of Choice

No one popularized spinach better than the cartoon character, Popeye. In an effort to boost his strength to beat up his enemies, he would often squeeze open a can of spinach, causing his biceps to magically grow. Unfortunately, spinach does not have this effect on real people.

Phytochemicals

The reason that spinach is colored such a rich shade of green is due to its high levels of chlorophyll and carotenoids, including beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. In the wild, phytochemicals protect plants from environmental elements such as bacteria, fungi, insects, and the weather.

Phytochemicals are good for people because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Beta carotene may help the body fight cancer, and phytochemicals also help keep your eyes healthy.

The antioxidants in spinach also helps safeguard your body, especially your colon, from free radicals. Additionally, they also help prevent cholesterol from oxidizing in your body.

Iron

The biggest claim to fame for spinach lies in its high iron content. Did you know that one cup of cooked spinach contains over 6 mg of iron? However, spinach contains high levels of oxalic acid, which binds with calcium and iron. As a result, your body cannot absorb as much iron and calcium from raw spinach. Fortunately, you can break down the oxalic acid in spinach simply by cooking it.

Helps Increase Your Metabolism

As a vegetable, spinach contains high levels of protein, which the enzymes in the body quickly break down into amino acids that are vital to our health. The resulting proteins that are formed helps boost our metabolism by helping our entire organ system function at peak levels.

Helps Build Strong Bones

Spinach contains high levels of vitamin K, which helps bone mineralization by retaining calcium within the bones. Other nutrients present in spinach, including copper, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese, which also help your body build bones.

Reduced Inflammation

Reducing inflammation in your body is key to staying healthy, and spinach contains over a dozen anti-inflammatory compounds known as methylenedioxy flavonol glucuronides. Chronic inflammation is detrimental to your overall health and can result in a myriad of diseases.

High Folate Levels

Women trying to get pregnant or who are pregnant benefit from consuming high levels of folate. In order to properly grow a fetus, folate is vital. Folate deficiencies in expectant mothers could result in birth defects such as spina bifida or cleft palates. Rich in vitamin A, spinach also contains nutrients vital for properly developing a baby’s lungs.

Helps Maintain Blood Pressure

With low levels of sodium and high levels of potassium, spinach can help regulate blood pressure. High sodium levels cause blood pressure to rise while high levels of potassium help lower blood pressure. The folate present in spinach also helps relax blood vessels, which helps reduce hypertension.

Reduces Risk of Developing Cataracts

Two of the antioxidants present in spinach, zeaxanthin and lutein, work together by protecting the eyes from exposure to harmful UV rays. These antioxidants also help to lower the impact of free radicals, which can cause cataracts.

Not only is spinach packed with health benefits, it can taste quite delicious when cooked right. If you have kids, you can easily sneak spinach into your meals without their detection. Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet are vital for maintaining your health. If you would like to take your health to the next level, try using our online health supplements at Ameriden International. Our health supplement store takes pride in our products, so shop our inventory today.