Fresh Raw Spinach

Popeye had good reason to be downing cans of spinach, but it wasn’t until I became obsess with nutrition that I discover the life changing benefits.  Spinach belongs to the same family as beets and chard.  There are three main types of spinach including smooth leaf, savoy, and semi-savoy.  All are delicious and rich in nutrients.

Spinach is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin K.  It is a rich source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.  It is also rich in folate, a water-souluble B vitamin which is important for good cognitive function.  Spinach is especially high in vitamin A and related compounds such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein, carotenoids that act as protection for the eye.  Spinach is one of the richest sources of lutein, containing nearly 30,000 micrograms per cup of frozen spinach.  Spinach is also rich in glycolipids, powerful phytochemicals known to have cancer cell growth suppression and antiproliferation qualities.

I could write a book on all the healthy benefits of eating spinach, but I think you guys and gals get the point.  I try to at least get a cup in every day, usually I throw some raw spinach inside my protein shake turning it into a green nutritious smoothie.