Spinach has long been known as one of the world’s healthiest foods. A standard ingredient in any salad, spinach is a superfood. Its distinctive dark, leafy greens fortify the muscles, skin, hair, bones, and more.
Spinach comes from the amaranth family and originated in Persia. However, it is now a culinary staple in cuisines all over the world.
Part of the appeal of baby spinach is that it’s so easy to prepare. It’s delicious when eaten raw in a salad or topping sandwiches. However, it’s also convenient to cook up and serve as a side dish. Some classic spinach dishes include creamed spinach, the Greek spanakopita dish, and spinach dip served with pita bread pieces, crackers, or chips.
The list of nutrients found in spinach is quite long. Spinach has long been identified with its protein content thanks to the classic mid-1900s cartoon Popeye the Sailor. In fact, a serving of 100 grams of raw spinach does contain almost three grams of protein.
Other nutrients found in spinach greens include the following:
Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Fiber, Phosphorus, Potassium, Thiamine, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Lutein, Nitrates, Chlorophyll.
The health benefits of consuming spinach greens as a regular part of one’s diet are many. Spinach is beneficial to those suffering from diabetes because it contains the antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid. This antioxidant is connected with decreased glucose levels and greater insulin sensitivity.
The chlorophyll in spinach could lower an individual’s risk of getting cancer, and the potassium in spinach helps reduce one’s blood pressure.