Spinach


Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae, native to central and western Asia. It's leaves are eaten as a vegetable and thought to have originated in ancient Persia (modern Iran and neighboring countries). It is not known by whom or when spinach was introduced to India but the plant was subsequently introduced to ancient China, where it was known as "Persian vegetable”

This green leafy vegetable belongs to the chenopodiaceae family (also known as goosefoot) a family of nutritional powerhouses including beets, chard and quinoa. It shares a similar taste profile with these other vegetables; the bitterness of beet greens and the slightly salty flavour of chard. There are three different types of spinach generally available: savoy, semi-savoy and smooth leaf.

Spinach is available all year round but is in season from March - June. It is well known for its nutritional qualities and has always been regarded as a plant with remarkable abilities to restore energy, increase vitality and improve the quality of the blood. There are sound reasons why spinach would produce such results; primarily the fact that it is rich in iron. Iron plays a central role in the function of red blood cells which help in transporting oxygen around the body, in energy production and DNA synthesis. Spinach is also an excellent source of vitamins K, A, C and folic acid as well as a good source of manganese, magnesium and vitamin B2. Vitamin K is important for maintaining bone health and it is difficult to find vegetables richer in vitamin K than spinach. Others include kale, broccoli and green cabbage.

The dark green colour of spinach leaves indicates they contain high levels of chlorophyll and health promoting carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin). These phyto chemicals have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties and are especially important for healthy eye-sight, helping to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.


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