Spinach makes you strong – does that sound familiar? In fact, leafy greens are among the healthiest foods out there. But what exactly does regular consumption do to our body? We explain what 3 things happen when you eat spinach every day.
Whether in a casserole, salad or smoothie – spinach tastes good both raw and cooked and can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. But not only that! The healthy leafy vegetables are also bursting with healthy nutrients – among other things, our body is supplied with vitamin C, B vitamins, beta-carotene, potassium and magnesium through consumption . But apart from the nutrient supply, there are good reasons why spinach should be a regular part of the menu.
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This is what happens when you eat spinach every day
1. Spinach supports muscle building
Everyone has probably heard that spinach makes you strong – and not just because of the comic character Popeye. This isn’t just something our parents told us as kids to encourage us to eat spinach – eating spinach actually helps build muscle. In a study , a team of researchers from Berlin found that ecdysterone, a plant-based steroid found in leafy greens, can stimulate muscle growth and increase our strength. Apart from that, the other ingredients such as potassium and nitrates also have a positive effect on our muscles.
2. You lose weight more easily
With around 20 calories per 100 grams, spinach is a very low-calorie vegetable. Despite the low number of calories, the leafy greens have a satiating effect due to the thylakoids they contain, which is why they are one of the foods that should be on the menu when dieting. The fiber it contains also stimulates digestion, which in turn helps us lose weight. Studies also show that spinach can help with weight loss. But beware: This only applies to fresh spinach, not to creamed spinach – because this contains additional cream, salt, starch and other ingredients and hits the calorie account with twice as many calories.
3. Spinach can prevent diseases
Leafy vegetables are also said to have various positive properties as a medicinal plant. Due to the antioxidants it contains, spinach supports the immune system and is even said to be able to prevent cancer. For example, a team of researchers from Texas A&M University (TAMU) found that spinach retards the growth of colon polyps , which can lead to colon cancer. In addition, regular consumption of spinach is said to lower blood pressure due to the ingredients it contains, which in turn can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Don’t eat too much spinach
However, the same applies to spinach: the quantity makes the poison. Because too much of the green leafy vegetables can in turn have a negative effect on health: Consumed in excess, the dietary fibers they contain can cause abdominal pain and flatulence, and the nitrate they contain, from which carcinogenic substances can develop during digestion, should only be eaten in moderation. Spinach also contains oxalic acid, which can put a strain on our kidneys in large quantities – people with kidney problems in particular should therefore avoid eating foods containing oxalic acid.
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