Health benefits and benefits of spinach

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

Chemical composition

1. Spinach is rich in B-group vitamins (1, 2, 5, 6), retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid. The use of the plant is caused by a large accumulation of water (over 92%) in its composition. Also in 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, in the process of heat treatment spinach leaves retain 98% of valuable substances. At the same time, the caloric content of a green plant is only 23 Kcal. on 100 gr. product.

Spinach application

1. The leaves of the plant are grown at a temperature that varies from 14 to 16 degrees above zero. The culture grows in mild climatic conditions, loves not 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 food. When dieting, it is preferable to consume the young leaves of spinach. They contain a large concentration of oxalic acid.
3. If we talk about frozen spinach, such greens are used in the preparation of first courses, pastries, stewed stew. After defrosting, re-freezing is unacceptable.
4. Fresh spinach is stored in the refrigerator, soaking time should not exceed 2 days. If after this time you have not eaten all the leaves, freeze them.
5. As a rule, spinach stems are covered with a thin layer of sand. Therefore, before use, rinse the plant under the tap and dry on towels. If you add leaves to the dish before direct consumption, scald them with boiling water and squeeze out moisture.
6. The taste of spinach allows you to cook pies with a filling from the 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. To use spinach year round and benefit from it, you can freeze fresh leaves. In this state, they lie for about a year without losing valuable qualities. Some housewives canned leaves, pre-scalded them with boiling water. Then spinach is stored for up to 2 years.

Spinach benefits

1. The leaves of the plant are removed from the body of toxic compounds, so spinach is useful to eat when intoxicating the body. It removes old wastes accumulated in the intestines.sucks poisons from the walls of the stomach. Such properties are useful for people abusing animal food, tobacco, and alcohol.
2. The accumulation of fiber allows you to organize the full work of the digestive system. This, in turn, helps overweight people to lose weight and strengthen the immune system.
3. Fans of spinach leaves will not face the problem of iron deficiency in the blood (anemia), as the plant compensates for the lack of this element. Iron enriches cells with oxygen, accelerating their natural regeneration. Against the background of all metabolic processes increase.
4. One of the most valuable qualities of spinach - blocking malignant tumors. The plant blocks the access of blood to cancer cells, stopping their further development.
5. From the use of green leaves wins the heart. The main muscle of the body is saturated with already purified blood, the rhythm is normalized. Spinach fights possible arrhythmia and tachycardia, nourishes the vascular system with oxygen, cleans the blood channels.
6. People who have undergone radiation therapy, doctors recommend to use the plant during the rehabilitation period. The most powerful release of antioxidants contributes to the speedy recovery, increase physical stamina, strengthen the immune system.
7. The plant fights periodontal disease, slows down and completely stops bleeding gums. Green leaves are indispensable for people with high blood pressure (hypertensive), 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 useful for women to eat spinach during the period of PMS and directly menstruation. The plant compensates for the lack of iron with heavy discharge, eliminates the 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. The plant is a great alternative to chemist's with lutein for the eyes. Culture includes much more beta-carotene (valuable for sight) than the notorious carrot.
11. It is helpful for diabetics to use green leaves to slow down the absorption of fast carbohydrates by the blood. The plant contributes to the production of its own insulin by normalizing carbohydrate metabolism.
12. Green leaves are struggling with nightmarish dreams, insomnia.Spinach eliminates the effects of stress, putting in order the psycho-emotional background of a person. The product just needs to be included in the daily diet to accelerate 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 in the period of "walking" of viral infections. It strengthens the immune system and fights the flu. Often, the spinach is poured boiling water, insist and drink a decoction to remove sputum from the respiratory tract. Such a remedy is effective in inflamed tonsils.
15. Chopped fresh herbs are used in the treatment of burns, boils, insect and animal bites, eczema. Due to the incoming iodine and zinc, the agent quickly sucks pus and removes the tumor.
16. French women know that valuable spinach leaves saturate the skin with moisture, increase collagen production, smooth fine wrinkles. Wiping the skin with spinach fights excessive pigmentation, bruises under the eyes, eyelid swelling.
17. Calcium contained in spinach fills the voids in the bones. Potassium reduces osteoporosis. Spinach removes radiation from the body, it is useful for people working in nuclear industries.
18. Spinach eliminates cramps and other problems with the nervous system. To do this, it is enough to boil the green leaves, insist, then consume a glass half an hour before the main meal (three times a day).
19. People suffering from hemorrhoids, it is useful to mix spinach with almond oil. Pound the leaves, mix with warm oil in an equal ratio. Take 25 ml. 2 times a day.
20. Due to its low calorie content, spinach leaves include slimming people in the diet. To be cleaned from slags 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. Enter the plant as a complementary food. Thus, you save the baby from bloating and constipation, normalize the digestive system.
2. The value is caused by a high content of calcium in the composition of the plant.Babies 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 to prevent the course of anemia in the baby. As soon as after the first days of feeding the child gets used to the product, it is possible to replace the juice of the plant with gruel.
4. It is proved that oxalic acid is easily neutralized by milk. In order to prevent possible deviations in the health of the child, it is strongly recommended to consult with the pediatrician.
5. The specialist will give clear instructions in the use of spinach for existing ailments. Older children in the absence of individual intolerance to spinach should be included in the daily diet.
6. The product will fully enrich the youthful body with enzymes necessary for the body. As a result, spinach will help the body resist nervous and mental stress. In addition, the product improves 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 in your daily diet spinach, if you have the pathology of the circulatory system. It is also forbidden to use the product along with the prescribed anticoagulants that affect blood clotting.
3. Such contraindications can be explained by the fact that a huge stock of potassium is present in the composition of the product, the enzyme thins blood very much. Use spinach with caution when you have irritable bowel problems.
4. Otherwise, the effect of oxalic acid aggravates the existing symptoms. Also, many experts do not recommend to use the plant for fibromyalgia and cystic fibrosis.
5. It is strictly forbidden to include in the diet spinach to people who have thyroid, joint and respiratory pathologies (especially asthma). Otherwise, the disease can proceed 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 sex. If you have no contraindications, spinach should be eaten daily.The product is easily absorbed by the body and does not show side effects.

Video: Spinach - the benefits and harm