Food Corner Benefits Of Spinach

Spinach is high in vi
tamin B-which not only boosts metabolism but increases muscle function. It is also rich in vitamin k which is necessary for blood clotting and for maintenance of bone. A wonderful green leafy vegetable, spinach is recognized as one of the functional foods for its nutritional antioxidants and anti-cancer properties.
Full of nutrient and delicious taste, it is wiser to choose the tender baby spinach leaves. The larger the leaves, the more mature they are and more likely to be tough or stringy. Spinach leaves that are placed under direct light in stores have been found to contain more nutrients than those stored in darkness.
Cooking spinach actually increases its health benefits! Just half a cup of cooked spinach will give you thrice as much nutrition as one cup of raw spinach. That is because the body cannot completely, break down the nutrient in raw spinach for its use.
According to research findings, taking spinach in juice form, is actually the healthier way to consume it. Blend spinach with other vegetables or fruits to create a delicious glass of juice.
By boiling spinach leaves for at least two minutes or pairing spinach with a food high in vitamin C helps to reduce the power of oxalic acid; a compound found in spinach which blocks the absorbtion of calcium and iron.
Freezing spinach diminishes its health benefits. It is therefore, adviseable to buy it fresh and eat it that same day. Apart from nourishing the eyes and building bones, spinach aids digestion, eases constipation and protects the mucus lining of the stomach so that one stays free from ulcer. It also flushes out toxins from the colon.
Very importantly, is its role in skin care. The bounty of vitamins and minerals in spinach, can bring about quick relief from dry, itchy skin while lavishing the skin with a radiant complexion.