Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. This dark green vegetable is a healthy food loaded with numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Spinach is native to western and central Asia. There are so many varieties of Spinach grown around the world. All these varieties can offer certain health benefits to the body. In addition, Spinach is good dietary food, which is easy to prepare and is very cheap.
Nutrition in Spinach
Nutrition facts for 100g of raw spinach are as follows
| Calories | 23 |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 grams |
| Fiber | 2.2 grams |
| Fat | 0.4 grams |
| Protein | 2.9 grams |
| Sugar | 0.4 grams |
| Water | 91% |
Vitamins in Spinach
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- Vitamin B6
- Folate (B9)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Spinach is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, and folate. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that improves skin health and immune function. Spinach is rich in some minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. Hence its plays a vital role in bone health, energy metabolism, and the creation of hemoglobin.
Health benefits of Spinach
- Improve eye health
- Reduce oxidative stress
- Helps to prevent cancer
- Reduce blood pressure levels
- Promotes skin, hair and bone health
FAQ
Yes. Spinach contains a great amount of folate, an essential nutrient for proper fetal growth and development during pregnancy.
Yes, eating Spinach in excess may lead to some health issues. Spinach is high in oxalates, and this compound increases the risk of forming kidney stones when consumed in excess.
