What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Spinach Regularly
Is spinach actually good for you?
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia
Spinach is often hailed as a nutritious food that can benefit your health in numerous ways due to its antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. From helping boost your heart health to strengthening your immune system, this leafy green is a versatile and delicious addition to any diet. It’s also an excellent source of iron.
But what happens to your body when you eat spinach regularly? Let’s explore the remarkable health benefits of including spinach in your diet, its nutrition facts, whether there are any downsides to consuming it and tips for enjoying this leafy green as part of a healthy diet.
Health Benefits of Spinach
May Boost Your Heart Health
Spinach is rich in heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, magnesium and folate that can help regulate blood pressure, improve blood flow and reduce heart disease risk. The antioxidants in spinach may also help prevent oxidative stress and inflammation, which are both linked to heart disease.
May Aid Your Digestion
Spinach is high in fiber, an essential nutrient for digestive health. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, prevent constipation and support a healthy gut microbiome. Additionally, research suggests that the beta carotene in spinach can boost digestive health by reducing inflammation and protecting the digestive tract from damage.
Beyond its digestive health support, fiber offers other health benefits. “Spinach is an excellent source of fiber, which is important for keeping your blood sugar stable, digestive system regular and cholesterol levels healthy,” says Caroline Young, RD, a registered dietitian and owner of Whole Self Nutrition.
May Support Your Immune System
Spinach is loaded with vitamins and minerals that support immune health. This leafy green is particularly rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which research says might help protect the body against infections and illness, lowering your risk of catching a common cold, flu and COVID-19. 9
Vitamin A is another immune-supporting nutrient in spinach that provides many health benefits. Young says, “Vitamin A is essential for supporting major bodily functions and systems, including healthy vision, reproduction and the immune system.
Related: 5 "Bad" Things You Should Be Doing for Better Immune Health, According to Health Experts
May Strengthen Your Bones
Spinach is a good source of vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in bone health. Vitamin K helps maintain bone density and strength, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Spinach also contains calcium and magnesium—two essential minerals for healthy bones.
In addition to helping build stronger bones, vitamin K offers other health benefits. “Vitamin K is an important nutrient for regulating the blood clotting process,” says Young.
May Lower Your Risk of Chronic Disease
Spinach contains several compounds, such as chlorophyll, beta carotene and flavonoids, that have been shown to have potential anti-cancer properties. These compounds might help protect cells from damage and inhibit cancer cell growth.
May Improve Your Skin Health
The vitamins and antioxidants in spinach can benefit your skin in several ways. Vitamin C helps promote collagen production, which keeps your skin healthy. Additionally, the antioxidants in spinach might help protect your skin from damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants.
Related: 5 Antioxidant Foods to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage, According to a Dietitian
May Enhance Your Vision and Eye Health
Spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two important antioxidants for eye health. These antioxidants help protect the eyes from damage caused by sunlight and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults.
Nutrition Facts
Spinach is a good source of nutrients such as fiber, vitamins C and K, magnesium, folate, potassium, lutein and zeaxanthin, among others.
One cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides the following:
Calories: 7
Total Carbohydrates: 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Total Sugars: 0 g
Protein: 1 g
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Sodium: 24 mg
Potassium: 167 mg
Magnesium: 24 mg
Folate: 58 mcg
Vitamin A: 2,810 IU
Vitamin C: 8 mg
Beta Carotene: 5,630 mcg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin: 3,660 mcg
Potential Downsides
Spinach contains oxalates, which studies show could bind to calcium and form kidney stones. If you have a history of kidney stones or are at risk, consider moderating your spinach intake and eating it alongside calcium-rich foods to help lower your risk of developing kidney stones.
Additionally, spinach’s high vitamin K content may cause issues for those taking certain medications. “There are a few scenarios that merit precaution of spinach consumption, such as taking an anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication, because of the vitamin K content in spinach,” says Young. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t eat spinach. Instead, you should focus on having a similar amount of vitamin K each day to avoid your medication losing effectiveness. More importantly, you should discuss any potential medication interactions with your health care provider.
Best Ways to Enjoy Spinach
One of the best things about spinach is its versatility in many dishes. Here are five ways you can enjoy it.
Raw
Add fresh spinach leaves to salads for a mega nutrition boost. Spinach can be the base of the salad or mixed with other greens for a variety of flavors and textures. If you need inspiration, try The Only Spinach Salad Recipe You’ll Ever Need.
Sautéed
Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté spinach with garlic and other seasonings until wilted. This simple cooking method boosts spinach’s flavor profile and makes for a delicious side dish or topping. Next time you sauté spinach, try our Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach recipe.
Blended
If you haven’t tried our Spinach, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie, you’re in for a world of deliciousness. Spinach blends well with fruits like berries and bananas, as well as with yogurt and milk, for a creamy texture.
Stir-Fried
Use spinach in stir-fry dishes for a quick and healthy meal, like our Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry with Spinach. Just remember to add the spinach near the end of the cooking process to wilt it slightly and retain its vibrant green color.
Baked
Incorporate spinach into baked dishes like casseroles, quiches and lasagnas. Try our Baked Spinach & Feta Pasta or Spinach, Feta & Rice Casserole.
Related: How to Keep Spinach from Getting Slimy—Plus, What to Do If a Bag Is Partially Rotten
The Bottom Line
Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green that can significantly benefit your health when included regularly in your diet. Thanks to its nutritional profile, eating spinach may support your heart, eye, skin and immune health, aid digestion, strengthen your bones and help lower your risk of chronic diseases.
However, if you have a higher risk of developing kidney stones, eating too much spinach may increase that risk due to its oxalate content. Also, those taking blood-thinning medications should consume the same amount of vitamin K daily to avoid medication effectiveness fluctuations. As always, speak with your health care provider or a registered dietitian to determine the best way to incorporate spinach into your diet for optimal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to eat spinach every day?
Eating spinach daily can support your health since it contains vitamins A, C and K, folate, iron and magnesium. However, it’s more important to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of vegetables to help ensure you’re consuming a wide range of nutrients.
Is spinach healthier raw or cooked?
Both raw and cooked spinach provide health benefits. Raw spinach retains more vitamin C, while cooked spinach is easier to digest.
Does spinach clean your gut?
Spinach contains fiber, which can support gut health by promoting regular bowel movements and feeding beneficial gut bacteria. However, fiber intake is just one component of a healthy diet, and the best approach for better gut health is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in a variety of nutrient-dense foods.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
