Is Eating Spinach Every Day Good for You?

• Daily Spinach Diet
  • Is it OK to eat spinach every day?

This vegetable helps in reducing the risks of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Although it is safe for most people to eat a bowl of spinach per day, people should be careful while eating excessive spinach every day. There are no side effects of eating spinach every day if consumed in limited quantities.
Disadvantages of eating spinach in excess every day are as follows:

• Oxalic acid and purines: Eating too much spinach can interfere with the ability of the body to absorb minerals. Oxalic acid present in spinach binds with zinc, magnesium, and calcium because of which the body does not absorb enough nutrients, which may lead to a mineral deficiency. High amounts of purines and oxalates can trigger conditions such as kidney stones and gout (a type of arthritis). High amounts of oxalic acid in spinach may form calcium oxalate stones in the kidney. A high purine content of spinach may also aggravate gout or gouty arthritis and lead to joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.
• Vitamin K: An individual must not consume spinach if they are taking anti-coagulating medicines (blood thinners) such as warfarin. Spinach is very high in vitamin K, and this nutrient may react with the anticoagulant drug and significantly affect its action and effect on other coagulating factors present in the blood.
• Metabolization: Eating too much spinach may lead to an excessive buildup of gas, bloating, and cramps because our body needs some time to digest the excessive load of spinach and cannot metabolize it all at once. Spinach is high in fiber and takes time to get digested, which may further lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Spinach is a good source of iron, but sometimes, because of the high fiber content and its excessive consumption, the body is not able to absorb the plant-based iron we have ingested.
• Histamine: This leafy vegetable contains histamine that may trigger a minor pseudo allergic effect or an allergic reaction in some people.
• Toxic reaction: This is a bit serious issue, and some people have complained about the toxic effect and poisoning of spinach when it gets contaminated with bacteria (such as E. coli) through pesticides, organic fertilizers, or irrigation water.
• Other possible complications may include low blood pressure, tremors or convulsions, vomiting, and a weak pulse.

This vegetable helps in reducing the risks of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cancer. Spinach is also good for the skin, hair, and eyesight. Advantages of eating limited quantities of spinach every day include:

• Vitamins: Spinach is rich in vitamin B and other important vitamins such as A, E, K, and C that helps to improve the skin texture and treat numerous skin-related disorders. Spinach also helps to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. It promotes healing of the skin in case of sun damage and prevents premature aging, skin cancer, and other dermal disorders caused by the sun. Because of the presence of vitamin A in spinach, it boosts immunity by preventing infections and inflammations to a large extent. It strengthens the mucous membranes of the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. Vitamin A is also a major component of the lymphocytes (white blood cells) that combat diseases in the human body.
• Anti-inflammatory: Spinach helps in providing relief from several types of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, and even migraine headaches.
• Prevents damage to the brain and nervous system: Spinach helps in maintaining brain functions, especially in patients of advanced age. The high content of vitamins C and K and folate helps keep the nervous system functioning properly. It also improves the processing abilities of the brain. Spinach helps in the synthesis of sphingolipids that is a crucial fact in the myelin sheath of the nerve cells.
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Spinach contains high quantities of beta carotene and vitamin C that maintain gastrointestinal health. It protects the colorectal cells from the cancerous growths caused by the effects of free radicals. The folate content in spinach prevents DNA damage and harmful mutations of the colon cells.
• Muscle growth: Spinach reduces stress on the muscles by strengthening the muscular tissues. Magnesium, zinc, and other nutrient content help to sleep better that helps the body to heal and recover faster.
• Hypertension: Spinach is an effective remedy for high blood pressure or hypertension. It also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Cancer patients: Spinach is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other nutrients that promote healthy cell division, preventing malignant growths and tumors.
• Bone health: Spinach is useful in maintaining and strengthening the bones because of its calcium content. It can also be used as an alternative to dairy products in patients who have lactose intolerance. It helps to prevent the early onset of osteoporosis. Spinach helps in the building of muscle tissues and the growth of collagen.
• Spinach is rich in iron content and many other essential nutrients. It helps in recovering and recuperating after a long spell of illness. Spinach juice can be given to patients who have been weakened by anemia or hemorrhage (bleeding).