Spinach: Popeye was on to something

Spinach figures so prominently on our living foods menu, that we can easily underestimate its nutritional contribution. What an awesome vegetable! Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, C, B2 and B6, of manganese, calcium and potassium. It represents a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, copper, zinc, phosphorus and vitamin E. It contains good stores of omega-3s, selenium and niacin.

Wow!

We know Popeye ate spinach (okay, they were cooked and in a can - yuk! - but let's not get stuck on details) for strength, but seeing the above-mentioned list, we are not surprised that they deliver a lot more than just power. Spinach is among the foods that can help prevent osteoporosis, colon cancer, arthritis, heart disease and a whole lot more. They have identified no less than 13 different flavonoids in spinach. Flavonoids function as antioxidants that help to prevent certain types of cancers.

It was proven in labs that a diet consisting of good quantities of spinach helps improve learning capabilities and motor skills. In preventing oxidative stress, spinach protects the brain from premature aging. The high concentration of vitamin E in spinach would be responsible for this slowing of age-related lost of brain function.

Doesn't all this inspire you to include more spinach in your everyday raw menu? The easier way is to include spinach in smoothies and green juices. During summer, we can make fabulous raw spinach salads. And what of living soups made of spinach? Deliciously nutritious!

I'll leave you with a very flavorful Raw Baby Spinach and Bosc Pear Salad with Pecans (from my favorite raw food forum, RFC). Let me know what you think!

Last Updated on Friday, 30 April 2010 14:06