You may remember that Popeye the sailor from the cartoons ate spinach to get stronger. Indeed, this food is potent and confers several beneficial health effects. So, check out the benefits of spinach for blood pressure and the brain.
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Benefits of spinach for blood pressure and the brain
Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable rich in fiber and antioxidant compounds, as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and also vitamins K and the complete B.
Thanks to its nutritional composition, it can help prevent and control diseases. In addition, there are several ways to consume this vegetable, which is very easy to find in markets and fairs. In other words, it is very accessible.
How does spinach improve blood pressure?
The nutrient most associated with blood pressure control is sodium, although there are other substances that interfere with pressure balance. They are magnesium, potassium and calcium. Because it is a great source of these nutrients, spinach is very useful, especially for those with high blood pressure.
In addition, this food is also rich in natural nitrates, which help to improve the flow in blood vessels and ease the work of the heart. That is, it also improves pressure through this mechanism.
Spinach and brain health
In addition to the benefits already mentioned, spinach contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, that fight inflammation and oxidative stress, responsible for the aging process precocious. Furthermore, it is also a useful vegetable to improve the cognitive process as a whole.
Improves vision
Thanks to lutein, which is a carotenoid with an antioxidant effect, spinach can help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a macular disease that affects the retina. So far, there is no cure or treatment for the disease, so prevention is essential.
How to consume spinach?
This vegetable can be consumed raw, in salads, or as an ingredient in cooked and roasted preparations, such as soufflés, pancakes and pasta. Other than that, it can also be added to juices and smoothies.
However, thinking about the nutritional profile, the ideal would be to consume spinach raw and in combination with a source of good fat (olive oil, for example) to optimize the absorption of its nutrients. However, even in other forms of preparation, nutrients can still be obtained.