1. Spinach is an excellent source of calcium: By supplying 100mg of calcium in every 100g serving, spinach is an excellent alternative to dairy for its ability to support healthy bone growth and prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
2. Spinach can help you relax: Spinach is one of the highest sources of dietary magnesium. Magnesium is necessary for smooth muscle relaxation of the arteries, as well as for hormone development in our adrenal glands to cope with high stress levels.
3. Spinach is high in folate: Folate is important for everyone, but necessary for expectant mothers to ensure proper neurological development of the fetus in early stages of growth. So stock up on spinach to nourish your baby's nervous system!
4. Spinach is a great source of protein: There may have been some truth to the old Popeye cartoons. Spinach is one of the only vegetarian sources of protein that contains a complete amino acid profile to rebuild muscle tissue and support collagen growth, which helps to maintain healthy skin and mobile joints.
5. Spinach can help protect your eyesight: Spinach is high in lutein, a phytonutrient in the carotenoid family. Lutein specifically targets the eyes to avoid the macular degeneration associated with aging. It's an antioxidant for the eyes that maintains healthy vision.
Detox your system with cleansing broccoli
1. Broccoli may relieve asthma symptoms. Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring chemical found in broccoli. This interesting molecule increases the amount of active Phase II enzymes of the upper respiratory tract, helping with symptoms of asthma. These enzymes are responsible for neutralizing the harmful toxins we breathe everyday that can cause respiratory distress in sensitive people, especially those with respiratory conditions.
2. Broccoli is loaded with fibre. Foods high in fibre and nutrients can help weight loss efforts by increasing the feeling of being full, thereby eating less. Fibre is also necessary to "soak-up" the toxins dumped into the intestines by the liver. Without fibre, the toxins are reabsorbed into our bodies wreaking havoc on our systems.
3. Broccoli may protect against tissue damage in diabetes. Diabetes-type tissue damage is caused by sharp glucose crystals circulating in the bloodstream. The naturally occurring chemicals in broccoli, flavonol glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid, are responsible for antioxidant protection that help combat free radical tissue damage.
4. Broccoli is a good source of many of the B vitamins. Broccoli is excellent for women that are currently on or have previously used oral contraceptives (the birth control pill). Oral contraceptives are proven to dramatically reduce levels of circulating B vitamins in the body. The B complex vitamins are required for a number of metabolic reactions in the body including fat and carbohydrate metabolism for proper energy production.
5. Broccoli can stop replication of colon cancer cells. The beautiful green colour of broccoli can be attributed to its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll helps to alkalize the body and has the ability to stop replication of colon cancer cells by arresting the cells abnormal cycle.