Spinach

Spinach is the model plant of the Spinachaceae family, which has become a favorite vegetable for children thanks to the famous cartoon character Popeye. Spinach, which is native to the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, is found in wild specimens in those regions and is used as food by the local people.

Spinach is one of the vegetables that is produced and consumed abundantly in the world and in our country. Spinach, which has many varieties and is quite easy to grow, is an annual herbaceous plant. It has a strong taproot and thin hairy roots that develop close to the surface of the soil. Spinach is divided into various types in terms of the shape, color, fleshiness of its leaves and also whether the leaf blade is straight or curly.

The flowers of the plant are in clusters and each cluster contains 6-12 flowers. Spinach seeds are also of two types: thorny or smooth. The tender spinach, which has an important place in Turkish cuisine, is eaten raw by adding it to salads, as well as being cooked and enjoyed as soup, roast, puree, sauté, minced meat, cubed meat, egg and pastries. Spinach can be frozen and stored for future use.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES

The nutritional values of 100 g. fresh vegetable spinach are as follows: 25 calories; 3 g. protein; 3.6 g. carbohydrates; 0 cholesterol; 0.3 g. fat; 2.1 g. fiber; 38 mg. phosphorus; 170 mg. calcium; 2.2 mg. iron: 50 mg. sodium; 500 mg. potassium: 8,100 IU Vitamin A: 0.07 mg. vitamin B l; 0.14 mg. vitamin B2; 0.5 mg. vitamin B3: 150 mcgr. folic acid; 28 mg. vitamin C and 1.7 mg. vitamin E.

BENEFITS TO OUR HEALTH

When the above values are examined carefully, it becomes clear how important and excellent a source of nutrition spinach is for humans. In addition;

Spinach reduces the body's risk of developing cancer: Studies have shown that people who consume plenty of spinach have a very low rate of developing skin, lung, prostate and bladder cancer.

Since spinach contains high levels of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, it also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and cataract disease.

Spinach is good for macular degeneration, also known as 'Old Age Blindness': It has been determined that this type of vision impairment disease, which ends with blindness, is minimized in people who consume spinach abundantly. Recently, an electric current of 1 volt is produced with the protein of spinach and this revitalizes the eyes. Experiments have been started on mice in this regard. Our greatest wish is that the positive results will also be a source of hope for people.

Spinach, which is rich in potassium, reduces high blood pressure.

Although spinach, which is also rich in iron, contains high levels of oxalate, which seems to prevent iron absorption, studies have shown that iron levels in those who eat spinach every other day initially decrease slightly, but reach increasing levels after six weeks.

Spinach, which contains high levels of folic acid, minimizes the risk of pregnant women having spina bifida (an open spine on one side) and giving birth to disabled children.

Spinach is good for those suffering from constipation due to its rich fiber content.

Spinach also has diuretic, laxative, tonic (strengthening the body) and sedative effects.

Although it has so much vital importance, it is beneficial to eat spinach twice a week, not every day, because it contains high levels of oxalate. It is better to consume frozen spinach than to eat spinach that is not fresh. However, spinach stored in cans loses its folic acid.

Caution: Those who suffer from gout, gallstones and kidney stones should not eat spinach, which contains high levels of oxalate.