Benefits and harms of spinach for the health of the body

Spinach, or spinacea oleracea, is widely cultivated in America and Europe. Depending on the variety, the size, shape and structure of the leaves varies. They reach a height of 35 cm, have a smooth or rough surface, a saturated green tint, a pointed or rounded shape. Most often, spinach resembling sorrel is sold in Russia. For this reason, many people confuse plants, mistakenly equating them with one crop. Spinach leaves are darker and more healthy, but first things first.

Chemical composition

1. Spinach is rich in B-group vitamins (1, 2, 5, 6), retinol, tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. The use of the plant is determined by a large accumulation of water (more than 92%) in its composition. Also, spinach contains a group of vitamins K and H, fiber, dietary fiber, starch, ash, beta-carotene.
2. The value of culture is associated with macro- and microelements. Among them are sodium, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, selenium. It is difficult not to mention copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium.
3. The accumulation of carbohydrates and proteins in combination with mono- and disaccharides allows you to saturate the body with the necessary enzymes. Choline, saturated organic and unsaturated fatty acids complement the benefits.
4. Surprisingly, during the heat treatment, spinach leaves retain 98% of the valuable substances. At the same time, the calorie content of the green plant is only 23 Kcal. on 100 gr. product.

Spinach

1. The leaves of the plant are grown at a temperature that varies between 14-16 degrees above zero. The culture grows in mild climatic conditions, loves not a scorching sun and good watering. Experienced housewives prefer to grow spinach directly in the apartment on the windowsill.
2. Today, the plant is sold everywhere and year-round. It is especially appreciated by lovers of healthy eating. When dieting, it is preferable to eat young spinach leaves. They contain a high concentration of oxalic acid.
3. If we talk about frozen spinach, such greens are used in the preparation of first courses, pastries, stewed stews. After defrosting, repeated freezing is unacceptable.
4. Fresh spinach is stored in the refrigerator, the aging period should not exceed 2 days. If after this time you have not eaten all the leaves, freeze them.
5. As a rule, spinach stalks are covered with a thin layer of sand. Therefore, before use, rinse the plant under the tap and dry on towels. If you will add leaves to the dish before direct use, scald them with boiling water and squeeze out the moisture.
6. The taste of spinach allows you to cook pies stuffed with leaves, as well as diet bread. It is better to combine the plant with meat, fish, sea cocktails, eggs, side dishes, fresh or stewed vegetables.
7. You can freeze fresh leaves to use spinach year-round and benefit from it. In this state, they will lie for about a year without losing valuable qualities. Some housewives preserve the leaves, having previously scalded them with boiling water. Then spinach is stored for up to 2 years.

Spinach benefits

1. The leaves of the plant remove toxic compounds from the body, so it is useful to eat spinach during intoxication of the body. It removes the old waste accumulated in the intestine, sucks the poisons from the walls of the stomach. Such properties are useful for people who abuse animal food, tobacco, alcohol.
2. The accumulation of fiber allows you to organize the full functioning of the digestive system. This, in turn, helps overweight people lose weight and strengthen their immunity.
3. Fans of spinach leaves will not face the problem of lack of iron in the blood (anemia), as the plant makes up for the lack of this element. Iron enriches cells with oxygen, accelerating their natural regeneration. Against the backdrop of all, metabolic processes increase.
4. One of the most valuable qualities of spinach is the blocking of malignant tumors. The plant blocks the access of blood to cancer cells, stopping their further development.
5. The heart benefits from the use of green leaves. The main muscle of the body is saturated with already purified blood, the rhythm is normalized. Spinach fights possible arrhythmia and tachycardia, saturates the vascular system with oxygen, and cleanses the blood channels.
6. For people who have undergone radiation therapy, doctors recommend using the plant during the rehabilitation period. A powerful release of antioxidants contributes to a speedy recovery, increased physical stamina, and strengthen immunity.
7. The plant fights periodontal disease, slows down and completely stops bleeding gums. Green leaves are indispensable for people with high blood pressure (hypertensive patients), as well as those who suffer from enterocolitis.
8. The accumulation of tocopherol (vitamin E) in combination with proteins has a beneficial effect on male potency. Elements increase blood flow to the penis, increase libido and attraction to the opposite sex.
9. It is good for women to eat spinach during the period of PMS and menstruation itself. The plant compensates for the lack of iron with copious discharge, eliminates pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. Spinach reduces the risk of infertility and miscarriage.
10. Spinach leaves improve vision and strengthen the retina. A plant is a great alternative to pharmaceutical products with lutein for the eyes. The culture includes much more beta-carotene (valuable for vision) than the notorious carrots.
11. It is useful for diabetics to use green leaves to slow the absorption of fast carbohydrates by blood. The plant contributes to the production of its own insulin by normalizing carbohydrate metabolism.
12. Green leaves fight nightmares, insomnia. Spinach eliminates the effects of the stress, putting in order the psycho-emotional background of the person. The product simply needs to be included in the daily diet to speed up the production of "hormones of happiness."
13. Spinach contains a lot of iodine, which has a positive effect on the pancreas. The element strengthens the nervous system, helps people with epilepsy to fully exist, reducing the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
14. The plant is very valuable during the period of "walking" viral infections. It strengthens the immune system and fights the flu. Often spinach is poured with boiling water, insisted and drink a decoction to remove sputum from the respiratory tract. Such a remedy is effective for inflamed tonsils.
15. Shredded fresh herbs are used in the treatment of burns, abscesses, insect and animal bites, eczema. Due to the incoming iodine and zinc, the drug quickly drains the pus and removes the tumor.
16. French women know that valuable spinach leaves saturate the skin with moisture, enhance collagen production, and smooth small wrinkles. Rubbing the face with spinach fights against excessive pigmentation, bruising under the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids.
17. Calcium in spinach fills cavities in bones. Potassium reduces the manifestation of osteoporosis. Spinach removes radiation from the body, it is useful for people working in the nuclear industry.
18. Spinach relieves cramps and other problems with the nervous system. To do this, it is enough to boil green leaves, insist, then use a glass half an hour before the main meal (three times a day).
19. For people with hemorrhoids, it’s useful to mix spinach with almond oil. Pound leaves, mix with warm oil in equal proportions. Take 25 ml. 2 times a day.
20. Due to its low calorie content, spinach leaves are included in the diet of losing weight people.To cleanse of toxins and poisons, you need to eat at least 200 grams. greens per day. The result will be obvious if you combine the meal with physical activity.

The benefits of spinach for children

1. Spinach can be included in the diet of children, starting from six months. Introduce the plant as complementary foods. Thus, you will save the baby from bloating and constipation, normalize the digestive system.
2. Value is determined by the high calcium content of the plant. Children up to a year need this element to ensure the full formation of the skeleton and muscles.
3. The content of ascorbic acid and tocopherol in spinach helps prevent the onset of anemia in the baby. As soon as after the first days of feeding the baby gets used to the product, the juice of the plant can be completely replaced with gruel.
4. It has been proven that oxalic acid is easily neutralized by milk. To prevent possible deviations in the health of the child, it is strongly recommended to consult a pediatrician.
5. The specialist will give clear instructions in the use of spinach with existing ailments. In older children, in the absence of individual intolerance, spinach should be included in the daily diet.
6. The product will fully enrich the youthful body with the necessary enzymes for the body. As a result, spinach will help the body withstand nervous and mental stress. In addition, the product enhances immunity and vision.

Contraindications and harm

1. It is forbidden to use spinach to people who have kidney stones or a high risk of their occurrence. Spinach contains a high percentage of calcium oxalate. The enzyme often leads to the formation of stones in the urethra.
2. Do not try to include spinach in your daily diet if you have circulatory pathologies. It is also forbidden to use the product along with prescribed anticoagulants that affect blood coagulation.
3. Such contraindications can be explained by the fact that the product contains a huge supply of potassium, the enzyme greatly dilutes the blood. Use caution with spinach for irritable bowel ailments.
4. Otherwise, exposure to oxalic acid exacerbates existing symptoms. Also, many experts do not recommend using the plant for fibromyalgia and cystic fibrosis.
5. It is strictly forbidden to include spinach in the diet for people who have pathologies of the thyroid gland, joints and respiratory tract (especially asthma). Otherwise, the ailment can occur in an even more severe form.

The value of spinach is due to its rich list of chemical elements. The plant is useful for people of all ages and gender. If you have no contraindications, you need to eat spinach daily. The product is easily absorbed by the body and does not show side effects.

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