Spinach is a leafy green packed with vitamins and minerals. The health benefits of spinach make it an ideal ingredient to add to homemade juice. Juicing extracts the nutrients from the spinach. The body can utilize the nutrients in the juice very easily. Cancer-fighting flavonoids and immunity-boosting vitamin A are two of the numerous health benefits of spinach.
Vitamin A not only supports the immune system, but this essential vitamin also helps skin conditions characterized by dry skin. The vitamin A helps the skin retain moisture which is extremely helpful for people with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. The vitamin A content in spinach may help prevent wrinkles.
Spinach contains vitamin K which encourages healthy bone density. Vitamin K is needed for the production of a protein that prevents the calcification of tissues such as calcium deposits in the arteries. This role that vitamin K plays in our health helps prevent strokes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.
The phytochemicals or flavonoids in spinach fight cancer cells. The flavonoids in spinach interfere in the cell division of stomach and skin cancer cells. Eating spinach can prevent an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that the carotene and chlorophyll in spinach impede the cell division of other types of cancer cells including ovarian and breast cancer.
Spinach has several antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese, selenium, and zinc which protect against atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. Vitamin C is necessary for the body’s production of collagen and healthy blood vessels. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants in spinach that prevent eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Two anti-inflammatory compounds in spinach, neoxanthin and violaxanthin, are crucial for the regulation of inflammation in the body. Spinach has lipoic acid which supports the regeneration of vitamin C and vitamin E.
Peptides in spinach help lower blood pressure. This leafy green is a valuable source of potassium. Like peptides, the potassium in spinach lowers blood pressure and protects the bones against osteoporosis. Potassium helps prevent kidney stones. Potassium is necessary for healthy muscle contractions. A lack of potassium can cause muscle cramps.
Folate is a B vitamin found in spinach. Folate is especially important during early pregnancy to help prevent birth defects. Consuming spinach may help prevent stomach ulcers. Spinach contains iron which is necessary for carrying oxygen in the blood. Spinach is a good source of calcium for those who do not like or cannot tolerate dairy products.
Boiling spinach depletes the potassium. Cooking spinach decreases the nutrients that the spinach contains. Eating raw spinach or including spinach in juice recipes helps ensure that the body receives the most benefits from this vegetable. Some research has shown that juicing spinach is the best way to receive the maximum nutrients from these greens.
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