All fruits and vegetables have health benefits, but few are as good for you as dark, leafy greens. Included in that is spinach, which is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Making things even more convenient, it can be enjoyed cold as a part of salads, sauteed as a side dish, or even as an ingredient in soups.
Washington Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a list of five health benefits of spinach.
- Packed With Nutrients
While spinach has no fat and is low in calories (20 calories per three cups), it’s high in fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, iron, magnesium, and the B-vitamin folate, which helps in the formation of red blood cells.
- High in Antioxidants
Spinach is considered a superfood because it’s high in antioxidants, which give your immune system a boost and help keep inflammation low throughout the body. Different antioxidants in spinach have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
- Can Give Your Brain a Boost
Cutting down on inflammation can have long-lasting positive impacts on your memory. Studies found that those who eat more leafy green vegetables had a decrease in the rate of cognitive decline compared to those who didn’t eat one to two servings daily.
- Keeps Blood Pressure in Check
Spinach contains naturally occurring nitrates, which open up blood vessels in the body. This improves blood flow, which eases the job the heart has of pumping blood throughout the body. This can help lower the diastolic (lower number) blood pressure in the body for several hours after consuming spinach.
- Helps Eye Health
An antioxidant called lutein is present in spinach, and studies found that an increase in blood lutein levels helps reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50.
To learn more about Washington Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://washington-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
