Useful properties of spinach, contraindications, calories and cooking

The benefits and harms of spinach are known to almost everyone. Many housewives use this plant to prepare delicious dishes. At the same time, few people know that due to its beneficial properties, spinach is widely used in folk medicine, for the preparation of natural medicines, for the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases.

The chemical composition and calorie content of spinach

Due to its rich natural composition, the plant has beneficial properties. This product contains a high content of vitamins, macro- and microelements, which makes it so useful for the body, but do not forget about the possible harm to some categories of people.

If we consider the chemical composition, then it is worth noting:

• choline;
• riboflavin;
• glycine;
• protein;
• starch;
• alimentary fiber;
• acid.

The vitamin composition is also rich in:

• vitamin C;
• vitamin K;
• vitamin A;
• vitamin E;
• vitamin B9;
• beta carotene.

The mineral composition of the product includes:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• iron;
• copper;
• selenium;
• zinc;
• manganese.

Due to its properties, the plant is considered a low-calorie product, 100 g contains 22 calories. That is why it is recommended to use it during weight loss, without the risk of causing harm to health.

Why spinach is good for the body

You should always consider the benefits and harms of spinach for the human body before you start using this product. Its use in food contributes to the health of the body. In addition, the plant has the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• diuretic;
• antioxidant;
• tonic;
• fortifying.

Due to the healing properties and the content of nutrients in the leaves, it is possible to normalize the level of hemoglobin, and a large amount of iron also contributes to the saturation of the body's cells with oxygen.

Benefits of spinach for women's health

Fresh spinach is beneficial for the female body. On the basis of this plant, lotions and face masks are prepared. Such cosmetics have a rejuvenating and smoothing effect.

With the help of spinach, you can get rid of edema, wrinkles. It is often used as a whitening agent to help get rid of freckles and age spots due to its beneficial properties.

Increasingly, the plant began to be used for weight loss. Since this product is low in calories, then using it, you should not be afraid of body fat.In this case, the plant is able to remove toxins from the body, but in any case, it is necessary to take into account the possible harm due to the intolerance of some elements.

Benefits of spinach for men

Spinach also has health benefits for men. Due to its special properties, the product has a positive effect on the reproductive system, takes part in the formation of the genitals in children, produces testosterone, and increases potency.

If you regularly use this product, you can prevent stroke and heart attack. With the help of spinach, you can gain muscle mass quickly enough if you actively play sports.

Is spinach suitable for pregnant and lactating women

Both boiled spinach and fresh spinach are beneficial for the body. During pregnancy planning and after its onset, it is recommended to start eating spinach, which allows saturating the woman's body with trace elements and nutrients that are important for her and the health of the child.

Folic acid in the product allows the neural tube to form properly in the fetus. Also, this plant prevents iron deficiency in the body.

During lactation, it is not recommended to abuse spinach, as the child may develop food allergies. It can be consumed in small quantities.

At what age can spinach be given to children

After the child is 6 months old, juice and young spinach leaves can be introduced into the diet. In a small amount, the product helps to get rid of bloating and normalize bowel function. The main benefit lies in the fact that up to a year, this product enriches the child's body with calcium.

When the child is completely used to the juice, you can start introducing puree into the diet. It is important to understand that a child may have allergic reactions to some components, therefore, before starting to introduce new products into the diet, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician in order not to harm health, and take into account the properties of the product.

Slimming spinach

Spinach also has significant benefits for weight loss. If you plan to use the plant for preparing diet meals, then you must first boil the leaves, cool and strain the broth, and then consume 50 ml each time before meals.

Such a diet helps to cleanse the body and reduce weight; it is also possible to significantly improve the condition of blood vessels, heart, and digestive system.

Due to its neutral taste and properties, this product can be used to prepare absolutely any dish. If the leaves are finely chopped and added to an omelet, dough or mashed potatoes, then the finished dish will acquire an amazing taste.

Spinach for diabetes

The use of spinach with diabetes is allowed only if there are no contraindications, and the body absorbs it perfectly, otherwise irreparable harm to health will be caused.

Due to its properties, this product is useful in diabetes mellitus in that fat deposits do not appear when consumed. This is due to the low calorie content of the product. The leaves of the plant contain proteins that allow the body to produce its own insulin, which is so important in diabetes.

Often, patients experience difficulties with digestion, as a result of which additional harm is caused to the body. Thanks to spinach, these problems can be avoided.

Benefits of spinach juice

The juice is rich in minerals, as a result of which it is recommended for children and the elderly. Due to the large amount of calcium, the juice promotes rapid bone healing.

This product has a positive effect on all organs.It strengthens the immune system, heart muscle, improves blood circulation, and has a beneficial effect on vision. Spinach juice can effectively cleanse the intestines, which is why older people appreciate it.

Traditional medicine recipes with spinach

Due to the medicinal properties of spinach, it is widely used both for cosmetic purposes and in folk medicine. Useful properties allow you to prepare a large number of medicines with which you can fight most diseases. Also, the plant is used for preventive purposes, preventing the appearance of diseases in the early stages.

For stomach cramps and bloating

For people with stomach cramps and bloating, spinach is also good. To prepare a folk remedy, you will need:

• chopped leaves - 2 tbsp. l .;
• water - 200 ml.

Preparation:

1. Pour the crushed leaves with water.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
3. The resulting broth must be filtered and consumed during the day 4 times 3 tbsp. l.

With atherosclerosis

For people suffering from atherosclerosis, you will need to prepare the same decoction, the preparation process for which is described above. Consume for 4 months daily 4 times, drinking 1 tbsp. l. the resulting broth. For greater efficiency, this method of treatment should be combined with the intake of hawthorn in the same amount.

For anemia

For people with anemia, the following recipe is suitable:

• spinach leaves - 20 g;
• water - 0.5 l.

Preparation:

1. Finely chopped leaves are added to water and infused for 1 hour.
2. An hour later, the resulting infusion should be filtered.
3. Drink 60 ml 3 times a day before meals.

For nervous disorders and migraines

In case of stressful work, as a result of which nervous disorders and migraines appear, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment with spinach. It is necessary to make it a rule to prepare yourself a special mixture 4 times a week, which will include 50 ml of spinach juice and 50 ml of carrot juice.

To cleanse the body

Due to its significant benefits, spinach is used both for salads and for the preparation of medicinal products. To cleanse the body, use the following recipe:

• spinach - a small bunch;
• banana - 1 pc.;
• water - 100 g;
• lemon juice - ¼ part.

Recipe:

1. All components are thoroughly mixed.
2. Using a blender, make a homogeneous mass.
3. This cocktail is recommended to be consumed every day 2 hours before bedtime.

From depression

In the presence of a depressive state, which was caused by prolonged stress, severe trauma or a shock, it is necessary to gradually introduce salads into the diet, which include spinach leaves and a small amount of ground cinnamon. After a few weeks, you can feel joy again, bad thoughts will begin to slowly but surely leave your head.

With convulsions

If seizures or other problems appear that are directly related to the nervous system, then you will need:

1. Boil the leaves of the plant for 10 minutes.
2. Grind.
3. Add vegetable oil.
4. To stir thoroughly.

Such a drug should be taken 2 times a day for 1 tbsp. l. in 30 minutes before meals.

With hemorrhoids

If there are problems with bowel movements, then the following remedy must be prepared:

1. Take 50 ml of almond oil.
2. 50 ml spinach leaf juice.
3. Mix thoroughly.

The resulting mixture is taken 2 times throughout the day for 1 tbsp. l. until the condition improves.

With skin lesions

Often there are cases when acne or inflammation caused by insect bites appear on the skin.To get rid of this is quite simple, all that is required is to prepare gruel from fresh leaves and apply to the inflamed area for literally 15-20 minutes.

When eczema or abscesses appear, you will need to boil the resulting mass for 10-15 minutes. with the addition of olive oil, then make compresses and apply to problem areas.

The use of spinach in cosmetology

Due to its significant benefits, spinach leaves are actively used for cosmetic purposes. If you make face masks on their basis, then the skin will receive all the beneficial substances of the plant. You can increase the benefits of using masks if you add a small amount of vegetable oil or milk.

Such masks can be done daily or once a week. Each person chooses the number of procedures based on personal needs, taking into account the characteristics of the skin.

Freckle mask

People who want to get rid of freckles need to adhere to the following recipe:

1. Fresh leaves are kneaded.
2. Dip in a little olive oil.
3. Apply to the face in the area of ​​freckles.
4. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.

After this procedure, you need to wash yourself with warm water. Such masks need to be done 3 times during the week.

Anti-aging anti-wrinkle mask

If you need to make an anti-aging anti-wrinkle mask at home, you will need:

• freshly squeezed spinach juice - 15 ml;
• avocado - half;
• sandalwood essential oil - 4 drops.

Recipe:

1. Avocado must be chopped, turned into gruel, mixed with juice and oil.
2. The resulting mixture is applied to problem areas for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse off with cold water.
4. Any cosmetic product is suitable for moisturizing.

Nourishing mask

Dry skin needs nourishing and moisturizing masks. At home, you can make an excellent mass:

1. Take spinach (50 g), cook for 10 minutes.
2. Leaves are crushed.
3. Add 5 ml of carrot juice, honey (0.5 tsp), olive oil (0.5 tsp).
4. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

The resulting mass is applied to the skin for 10-15 minutes. This procedure should be repeated 2 times a week, after a month you can see the result.

How to eat spinach

Many recommend eating fresh spinach in salads. It should be borne in mind that only fresh young shoots can be consumed this way. Due to their neutral taste, they can be added to any dishes, thereby enhancing the taste.

If you add chopped leaves of a plant to borscht or soup, then heavy foods will be absorbed much faster. Adding to an omelet or porridge allows you to make breakfast not only hearty, but also healthy. Due to heat treatment, nutrients become much less, but they do not completely disappear.

Healthy spinach recipes

Thanks to the benefits of spinach dishes, the plant is widely used in cooking. Spinach can be boiled, stewed, and young shoots can be served fresh.

It is recommended to cook the leaves for no more than 3 minutes. It should also be borne in mind that you cannot eat spinach and milk at the same time, as this is very harmful and leads to an upset stomach. At the same time, it is possible and even necessary to combine with other products.

Spinach with egg

To prepare a nutritious and delicious meal, you will need:

• spinach - 200 g;
• egg - 1 pc.;
• greens;
• olive oil - 10 ml;
• salt and pepper to taste.

The cooking algorithm is as follows:

1. Boil the spinach for 3 minutes.
2. Allow to cool and dry.
3. Mix the egg with herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro, basil).
4. Add spices to taste.
5. Put the leaves on a hot frying pan.
6. Pour over the egg and herbs.
7. Cook for 10 minutes.

The dish is ready, you can use it.

Spinach in sour cream with cheese

Since stewed spinach has the same benefits as fresh spinach, the plant is used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. To cook stewed spinach with cheese and sour cream you will need:

• spinach leaves - 135 g;
• sour cream - 55 g;
• hard cheese - 20 g;
• onions - ½ pcs.;
• garlic - 1 slice;
• vegetable oil;
• salt and pepper to taste.

The cooking process is as follows:

1. Finely chop the onion and fry.
2. The spinach is cut into strips and stewed together with onions for 4 minutes.
3. Add sour cream, bring to a boil.
4. Pour in grated cheese.

At the end, add spices to taste, mix thoroughly and serve.

Spinach harm and contraindications

Despite the benefits of spinach, there is also harm to human health, which must always be considered if there are contraindications. If the product is eaten incorrectly, it can cause side effects.

It is not recommended to use the product for people with the following diseases:

• increased acidity of the stomach;
• an allergic reaction to ascorbic acid;
• high blood clotting;
• the presence of urolithiasis;
• the person is taking medications that thin the blood;
• with gout;
• the presence of a stomach ulcer;
• undergoing treatment with strong antibiotics;
• personal intolerance.

It is not recommended to eat spinach frequently. Since the plant contains a large amount of acids, digestion problems can be encountered.

Selection, preparation and storage of spinach

As a rule, they approach the choice as responsibly as possible. The plant must be young, the leaves are dense, free from damage and various dark spots. If the sheet is bent, then a crunch will be heard, which indicates the freshness of the product.

Spinach should be kept in the refrigerator, but no longer than 2 weeks. After this time, the plant begins to lose its beneficial properties and can be harmful to health. Freshly picked leaves are best stored in a container filled with water.

There are benefits to frozen spinach as well. Plants susceptible to freezing do not lose their beneficial properties, which allows the use of herbs at any time of the year. It should be borne in mind that the frozen product is stored for no more than 3 months.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of spinach should always be considered before you start eating it. It is important to understand, in addition to the benefits, the product can also have a negative effect on the human body, especially when it comes to children. You always need to take into account individual characteristics, including intolerance to some components. Only this approach will allow you to get the expected benefits and effectiveness from use.