SPINACH – WAS POPEYE AHEAD OF HIS TIME?

We all remember the old cartoon where Popeye cracked open the can, ate the spinach and his muscles instantly grew.

Well perhaps Popeye knew all along the amazing vegetable that Spinach is.

Spinach has an extremely high nutritional value and is rich in antioxidants. It is a good source of vitamins A, B2, C and K, and also contains magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, calcium and potassium.

Spinach is also low in calories, easily accessible and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Benefits of spinach to your body include;

The antioxidants found in spinach, particularly the antioxidant beta-carotene, have been shown in multiple studies to help combat many cancers, including breast, prostate and ovarian cancer;
Spinach boosts eye health and has strong anti-ageing properties;
Abowl of spinach every day can increase muscle efficiency. The effect was noticable after just three days of spinach consumption;
Spinach may reduce the risk of skin cancer
spinach is is a heart-healthy food. It’s an outstanding source of vitamins C and A which are antioxidants that help reduce free radical amounts in the body. The antioxidants work to keep cholesterol from oxidizing;
Gastrointestinal health can be boosted with more spinach;
Some conditions that are identified as inflammatory, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and asthma, may be helped because of the anti-inflammatory properties of some of the nutrients found in spinach;
Studies have shown that consumption of green leafy vegetables such as spinach may slow the age-related decline in brain function. So, eat your greens and keep working those crossword puzzles to keep your brain young and agile;
Spinach contains iron, which is particularly important for menstruating women and growing children and adolescents. Because iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells, it’s needed for good energy.