Spinach is an extremely nutritious leafy vegetable. There are three types of spinach – savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leafed and each of them has its sub-variants too. In Kerala, we use a handful of varieties like the Malabar Spinach, Space Spinach, Red Carnival, Indian Summer, Savoy Spinach, Bloomsdale, and more.
Spinach contains essential nutrients for all parts of the body, including hair, skin, and bones. Spinach dishes are highly beneficial for those aiming to lose weight, as the leafy vegetable is low in calories and high in fibre.
Studies have demonstrated that spinach, with a low glycemic index (GI), helps stabilise blood glucose levels. Therefore, individuals with diabetes can safely include spinach in their diet.
The presence of zeaxanthin and carotenoids, which can scavenge free radicals from the body, imparts this quality to spinach.
Chlorophyll, a pigment in spinach, promotes the production of enzymes that aid in breaking down food and enhance digestion and gut health. Spinach is also rich in magnesium, which aids in digestion.
It can lower blood pressure and contribute to improved cardiac health. The potassium in spinach helps mitigate the effects of sodium in the body, lowering high blood pressure.