The Life Changing Benefits of Spinach

Whether you love the green stuff or have just heard of the many incredible benefits of spinach and are trying to eat more, this stuff is undeniably powerful! Packed with vitamins, minerals, and so many dietary must-haves, spinach is an essential element of your everyday diet. And there are so many different ways to cook it to create a taste that you will love!

Packed with vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, folate, niacin, potassium, iron manganese, magnesium, beta-carotene, lutein, and zinc, the health benefits of spinach are endless.

Are you ready to take your diet to the next level? Here is what you need to know about the benefits of spinach.

Mental Perks

Potassium, folate, and the antioxidants provide incredible neurological perks that can change your life. Folate reduces your odds of getting Alzheimer’s disease, which is why spinach is highly recommended for anyone at risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, potassium is an essential part of brain health and is linked to improved concentration.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Did you know that potassium (which spinach is very high in!) actually lowers your blood pressure? On top of that, the folate in spinach is beneficial for hypertension and relaxing your blood vessels. By lowering your blood pressure slightly with every green leaf of this good stuff, you are enhancing your overall health. Now isn’t that better than blood pressure pills?

Increase Metabolism

Spinach is one of the highest protein vegetables out there. This leafy green goodness provides your body with essential amino acids that help you in developing and maintaining muscle, healing wounds, and enhancing your metabolism. On top of that, spinach has been shown to reduce hunger and fight cravings. That is why the benefits of spinach can be a major boost to any diet, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

Prevent and Treat Constipation

The soluble and insoluble fiber content of spinach is great for preventing and treating constipation. On top of that, the high magnesium content in spinach is great for your colon health.

Meet Your Iron Needs

Attention, vegetarians! If you aren’t already eating spinach daily, now is the time to add it to your diet. Just having one cup of cooked spinach to your diet every day will give you six milligrams of iron. This is especially important for vegetarians since a lack of meat in your diet can make it hard to meet your iron needs. For men, the daily recommended intake is 19 milligrams of iron per day while women should consume at least 17 milligrams of iron per day. This means that adding spinach to just one meal per day will get you about one-third of the way there.

Improved Bone Health

Did you know that vitamin K deficiencies are linked with increased bone frailty? The high vitamin K content in spinach increases your body’s ability to absorb and retain calcium. That is why it is such an important part of any diet, particularly for women during and after menopause.

Reducing Your Chance for Getting Diabetes

To get 40 percent of your magnesium for the day, all you need is to eat one cup of spinach. This will regulate your blood sugar by providing you with alpha-lipoic acid antioxidants, which lowers glucose levels and increases your insulin sensitivity. In fact, a new study has shown that eating just over a cup of spinach every day will reduce your odds of getting type 2 diabetes by an incredible 14 percent.

Reduce Your Odds of Cancer

One of the biggest benefits of spinach is that it reduces your chances of getting cancer. Vegetables like spinach, kale, and chard are packed with antioxidants that control dangerous free radicals. According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, carotenoid-rich foods like spinach helps to prevent a range of different types of cancers.

Better Than Bananas

Did you know that spinach has more potassium than spinach? This is so important because it keeps your bones healthy while aiding in digestion and muscular developments. On top of that, getting adequate potassium reduces your odds of developing osteoporosis or having a stroke. To get more than ten percent of your daily potassium needs, all you need is add a cup of cooked spinach into your meal. Not only is it cheap and filling, you will get a hearty dose of calcium, vitamin A, and magnesium.