9 surprisingly beneficial properties of spinach

Summer is the time for greenery. Spinach will " feed" the body with a whole range of vitamins, help cleanse it, tone up and promote weight loss.

Spinach has taken over the world for a long time. His homeland is the Middle East, from where, together with Arab traders, he came to Spain, and then spread throughout the world. He is very popular in Europe.

In America, in order to get children to eat with pleasure, not having a pronounced taste, but an exceptionally healthy product, a can of spinach was handed to the hero of the cartoon series sailor Popeye - spinach helped him activate his superpower.

In the summer, spinach takes over the markets and shops of our country - let it win your heart and lead your way to your stomach. After all, this is not only very tasty greens that you so want to eat in spring and summer. It is a versatile product for spring, early summer and even fall, when it gives a second harvest.

Spinach: benefits

The good thing about spinach is that it is a low-calorie product. 100 g contains 22 gcal, which makes it dietary and healthy.

Spinach leaves are a real storehouse of vitamins: C, A, B1, B2, B6, PP, P, E, D2, K, it is rich in minerals such as iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and saponins, phytonutrients that help the body gets rid of excess cholesterol, they strengthen the immune system, prevent heart disease. And what is very important for our region, which suffered from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, is that it has a high iodine content, which contributes to the proper functioning and health of the thyroid gland.

Spinach is high in protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. For comparison - the level of protein is higher only in young fruits of peas and beans, as well as in meat.

The high fiber content promotes bowel function. Fiber and coarse fibers of spinach are not completely digested, but swell and thus cleanse the intestines. Spinach helps relieve constipation and normalizes peristalsis. Also, spinach helps to eliminate toxins and toxins from the body.

The high iron content in the product helps to normalize the level of hemoglobin in the blood, thanks to which the tissues of the body are better supplied with oxygen. Spinach helps to establish metabolism, has mild diuretic and laxative properties, has a tonic and tonic effect on the entire body. Thus, people who regularly eat spinach have a healthy complexion, strong teeth, healthy hair, and fresh skin. Spinach is very useful during the recovery process from serious illnesses. In addition, spinach is one of those foods, the regular use of which delays the development of malignant tumors.

Spinach: harm

Due to the high content of oxalic acid, spinach should not be eaten by people with stones in the bladder, kidneys and gallbladder, suffering from gout and impaired salt metabolism in the body.

When buying spinach, pay attention to the leaves - they should not have dark spots, this is a sign of stale spinach. Losing freshness, it becomes toxic to the body. It is also better to eat young leaves, as spinach " sins" by actively accumulating toxins. You can neutralize ripe spinach by boiling it - the first water should be drained so that the nitrates leave the product.

Raw or boiled?

Spinach can be eaten raw or boiled. Young spinach is best for salads or dip (a sauce that you can dip food in, such as meat and seafood). Coarser, more mature leaves are steamed, sautéed, or simmered.

The uniqueness of spinach is that during heat treatment, the beneficial properties contained in it do not disappear. Therefore, feel free to cook a variety of fresh salads with it, but also soups, mashed potatoes, pies, add it to pizza, lasagne. Add a salad with fresh spinach to meat, poultry, bacon dishes - it will help heavy or fatty foods better digest.

What to cook: Spinach smoothie

There are many ideas on how to cook spinach. We suggest making a light, nutritious and extremely healthy smoothie - for those who want to lose weight and look good by summer.

Half a cup of spinach
Half a ripe avocado
Pulp 1 banana
1 cup low-fat milk or yogurt
Honey and ice optional.

Grind and blend all ingredients in a blender. Bon Appetit!

Anyone who has started thinking about switching to a healthier diet has probably come across information about the benefits of dark green leafy vegetables many times. And spinach, as you may have already noticed, has a special place among the huge variety of such vegetables.

And these are not simple words that indicate a certain fashion trend in the world of health. It is truly worth taking another look at and adding to your diet.

The mere thought that the medicinal properties of spinach have been used since the days of ancient Persia confirms its greatness. The health benefits of spinach are truly impressive. By the way, it was brought to Europe already in the 11th century. And immediately earned its place of honor in the recipes of many countries.

Now he can be found with us. It can be on the shelves of our supermarkets both raw and frozen, and even as part of other dishes and mixtures.

Spinach is a powerful source of protein, coarse fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamine, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, zinc and manganese. In other words, it is simply loaded with great elements for every cell in our body!

Although you can add the fact "against": spinach protein will not help you build muscle in the blink of an eye. You have to work hard.

However, this does not detract from his strengths in the least. Let's try to figure it out in more detail.