An edible flowering plant of the division – Mannoliophyta, class- Magnoliopsida, order- caryoplyllales and family Amaranthaceae, the binomial name of spinach is Spinacia oleracea.

Nutritional Analysis :

The nutrient density of spinach is considered to be the highest among all green leafy vegetables. It reflects high quantities of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, folate, folic acid, copper, protein, flavonoids, phosphorous, zinc, niacin, selenium, Vitamin C, K, E and B6, iron, calcium, potassium, opioid peptides, rubiscolins and omega 3 fatty acids.

Health Benefits :

Spinach is known to be a powerhouse of nutrients which consequently paves the way for many health benefits. Being rich in Vitamin A helps it fight poor eye sight. It is also beneficial for purposes in which the eyes are prone to great amount of strain so as to make the eye muscles stronger. Choline and inositol which are present in large quantities in spinach help prevent thickening and hardening of the artories. It also helps in stabilizing blood sugar, thereby aiding in combating diabetes to a great extent. The presence of flavonoids help combat cancer and tumors because of their power anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin K aids in blood clotting in case of injuries.

Preparation :

Spinach can boiled and stewed instantly for immediate consumption or be canned and frozen. Spinach leaves can also be churned to extract juice which is again a highly edible form of spinach or the leaves are dried and powered to be able to consume it in juice form as per convenience.

References :

World's Healthiest Foods whfoods.com

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2005. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page,

Williams, S.R. (1993) Nutrition and Diet Therapy 7th ed. Mosby: St. Loius, MO (Williams, 1993)

Juan, Stephen (2006-08-18). "Will eating spinach make me strong?" . The Register . Retrieved 2008-12-18 .