A nutritionist challenged to "eat spinach every day" for a week without becoming Popeye, but his body showed surprising changes

Dark green spinach is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is a very nutritious vegetable. But if you eat spinach every day like Popeye, will your body really become stronger? American nutritionist Lauren Manaker shared the changes in her body after eating spinach every day for a week.

What will happen if you eat spinach for 7 consecutive days?

Manaker shared her experience of eating spinach every day for a week in the Prevention article. She said that she would add a handful of fresh spinach to breakfast, and sometimes use frozen spinach. After a week, she did not grow Popeye’s biceps, but she found that her spirit and mood became more stable throughout the day, especially in the afternoon. She felt less tired, which she believed was related to the iron and vitamin B in spinach.

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In addition, this also unexpectedly changed her eating habits. Eating spinach naturally made her inclined to eat more healthy foods. It is difficult for a person to eat donuts after eating spinach as the first meal.

This challenge also allowed her to be creative in her cooking. In the past, she would only eat vegetables as individual ingredients, but now she will add spinach to drinks, make sauces or scrambled eggs, or put it in sandwiches, on pizza, or even make salty oatmeal. She has noticed that she has become more attentive when eating and is healthier overall.

Nutritional value of spinach

Manaker also analyzed the nutritional value and health effects of spinach:

1. Natural antioxidant vegetables

Spinach is rich in antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin and kaempferol, which help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and help fight inflammation. Kaempferol has been particularly proven to have neuroprotective effects, and long-term consumption can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

2. Protect eye health

Spinach is rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help the retina resist damage from harmful blue light and oxidative stress. Studies have shown that regular consumption of spinach and other leafy green vegetables may reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration.

3. Improve cardiovascular health

Spinach contains natural nitrates. Nitrate compounds are converted into nitric oxide by the body, which helps relax blood vessels, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. In addition, the minerals in spinach: potassium, calcium and magnesium also help control blood pressure.

4. Strong bones

Spinach is rich in vitamin K, which can increase the use efficiency of calcium in the body, participate in bone metabolism, and reduce the risk of fractures caused by age.

5. Provide nutrients needed for pregnancy

Spinach is rich in folic acid (vitamin B9), which can promote the development of the fetal brain and spinal cord, help prevent neural tube defects, and support healthy cell growth.

For pregnant women, folic acid can promote healthy red blood cell formation and reduce the risk of certain birth complications, and the iron in spinach is also an important nutrient needed at this stage.

Precautions for eating spinach

Nutritionists remind that eating spinach has many benefits for the body, but it should be noted that spinach contains oxalate. Excessive intake of oxalate may cause the risk of kidney stones in some sensitive groups, especially those with a history of kidney stones. People with a history of kidney stones should pay more attention.

Eating spinach every day is healthy and safe for most people, but don’t forget to keep your diet diverse and supplement with a variety of green leafy vegetables to ensure more comprehensive nutrition.