HONEST NATURAL SUPERFOODS
The Incredible Health Benefits of Spinach (Now You Know Why We Add It To All Our Supplements)
Not all foods are created equal…some are superfoods! Spinach is one of the most versatile superfoods out there, as it is fully loaded with a strong micro-and macro nutritional profile. The leafy greens originated in Persia and have now made their way into most households all over the world - and of course all of our supplements!
1. Spinach Is An Energy Bomb
Spinach is known to boost and restore energy levels, as well as improve vitality. This is no surprise as spinach contains high levels of iron, which naturally play a major role in managing the red blood cells. Essentially, the red blood cells help guide oxygen around the entire body, and subsequently assist the body’s energy production. Spinach also contains high levels of magnesium, which is present in every cell in your body as it helps break down glucose into energy. So, if you want to give yourself some of the best fuel out there, spinach is a great place to start. We think Pop-eye would agree too!
2. Spinach Will Boost Your Immune System
Spinach is full of vitamin C, which is great news as it is one of the essential vitamins that the body can’t produce on its own. Vitamin C is needed in the body for many different things, however, it's most famous for the part that it plays in boosting the immune system. It supports the body’s production of white blood cells that help fight off and prevent infection. Moreover, Vitamin C also helps the white blood cells function optimally and helps protect them from being damaged by free radicals. So, if you want to avoid catching something in the middle of flu-season - #GetSpinached!
3. Spinach Will Give Your Skin That Glow Up
Spinach is filled with vitamin A and antioxidants that are proven to hold a multitude of beneficial health properties for your skin’s immune system. Vitamin A stimulates the production of new skin cells, helps prevent dryness of skin, and helps prevent cellular damage. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin A can also help prevent, retain, and heal skin conditions caused by inflammation such as acne and eczema. Moreover, vitamin A is also an antioxidant, which will help protect your skin from the oxidative damage that is naturally caused by the environment. Radiant and glowy skin - here we come!
4. Spinach Is An Eye-Opening Vegetable
Some of the many antioxidants found in spinach are zeaxanthin and lutein. These two particular antioxidants are also carotenoids, which are responsible for producing the bright green colour of the leaves. As it happens, your eyes also hold large quantities of these carotenoids, as they help protect your eyes from the sunlight and the damage it causes. Studies also indicate that spinach can help prevent degeneration of your sight and perhaps even be able to reverse already existing damage. So, if you want to be seeing well into your future, a daily dose of spinach might be just the thing for you!
5. Spinach Goes Straight To Your Heart
Another one of the many wonderful attributes of spinach is that it is packed with nitrates. These are compounds naturally found in soil, air, and water, which have been found to lower blood pressure. Through opening up the blood vessels and improving blood flow, nitrates help lower the heart’s workload and subsequently lowering the blood pressure. In other words, spinach will help decrease your risk of heart diseases and actually boost heart health instead! Isn't that incredible?
6. Spinach Will Strengthen Your Bones
Spinach is packed with vitamin K, which is an important nutrient for maintaining good bone health. It helps the production of an essential protein that is responsible for keeping calcium levels in the bones stabilised. In addition, spinach is also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, dietary fibres, vitamin C and D, all of which are key micronutrients facilitating optimal bone health. Sticks and stones won’t break your bones as long as you eat spinach!
All in all, spinach really is a superfood in its own right. It is incredibly nutritionally dense and contains such a vast variety of both macro-and micronutrients - surely you can see why we add it to all our supplements. The great taste doesn’t hurt either…
References
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26950968/
Jonvik, K. L., Nyakayiru, J., Pinckaers, P. J., Senden, J. M., van Loon, L. J., & Verdijk, L. B. (2016). Nitrate-Rich Vegetables Increase Plasma Nitrate and Nitrite Concentrations and Lower Blood Pressure in Healthy Adults.The Journal of nutrition,146(5), 986–993. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.116.229807
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27075914/
Bryan, Nathan S., Ivy, John L. (2015). Inorganic nitrite and nitrate: evidence to support consideration as dietary nutrients.Nutrition Research, 35(8), 643-654.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2015.06.001
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0271531715001359
Hezel, Michael P., Liu, Ming., Schiffer, Tomas A., Larsen, Fillip J., Checa, Antonio., Wheelock, Craig E., Calström, Mattias., Lundberg, Jon O., Weitzberg, Eddie. (2015). Effects of long-term dietary nitrate supplementation in mice.Redox Biology 5, 234-242.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2015.05.004
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231715000476
Hezel, Michael P., Liu, Ming., Schiffer, Tomas A., Larsen, Fillip J., Checa, Antonio., Wheelock, Craig E., Calström, Mattias., Lundberg, Jon O., Weitzberg, Eddie. (2015). Effects of long-term dietary nitrate supplementation in mice.Redox Biology 5, 234-242.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2015.05.004
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231715000476