The medicinal value of New Zealand spinach is very commendable. Its rich content of vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene and several important minerals like iron, zinc and selenium makes it a great food. In addition to its nutritional value, it also has a lot to recommend it from a cosmetic and health point of view. This is because aside from its nutritional value, New Zealand spinach also has a wide range of skin-related benefits which you can discover in this article.
There are many different benefits that can be derived from consuming Spinach. The nutritional profile of this food consists of colourful leafy greens with strong flavors. It has a pleasant sweet taste which is attributed to its high nutritional value. The common origin of spinach comes from an Asian nation, which is Iran and some other bordering nations. It is believed that spinach may have originated in Persia.
In olden times, this vegetable had been considered as a delicacy by the Aborigines of Australia, which is why many recipes were made using it. During the 19th century, scientists conducted research to determine the nutritional value of this vegetable and found out that it contains a number of nutritious ingredients including antioxidants, vitamins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, saponins, quercetin, protein, folate and quercetrin which all contribute to its health benefits. The nutrient composition of New Zealand spinach is very diverse and contains more than one hundred and twenty different nutrients. These nutrients include eighteen amino acids, twenty trace minerals including eight potassium compounds, ten different carbohydrates, four different fatty acids and two major hormones. The presence of these nutrients make New Zealand spinach a complete food.
Spinach is usually consumed either as fresh leaves or as cooked greens which are available in the market. The fresh leafy greens are often recommended as it offers a good level of nutrition as it has a large number of vitamin and mineral substances like vitamin c, vitamin d, niacin, iron and folic acid. The vitamin content is mainly achieved from the oxidized linoleic acid which is present in the outer membrane of the vegetable. However, it is advisable to consume this vegetable in its whole form as the intake of some of the vitamin is reduced due to the oxidation process. However, if you feel that you need to increase the vitamin intake then you can easily take supplements of vitamin d and vitamin b6.
New Zealand spinach is also known as one of the top three super food for pregnant women as it offers good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B1. Vitamin B helps in maintaining good vision and healthy skin condition. It also helps in preventing nausea and reduces the risk of certain cancers. New Zealand spinach is a rich source of folate, which is an important nutrient needed for the synthesis of folate. Folate is needed for the absorption of iron in our bodies. If the level of iron in our blood is low then it can lead to anemia and a risk of hemorrhage and anemia.
Spinach is one of the few foods in the world, which is a complete food; i.e it contains all nutrients required by the body. It is always advised to eat food from four to six times a day as it keeps your metabolism steady and you feel fuller for a longer time. It is good to have this food occasionally as it tastes delicious and nutritious at the same time. There are many varieties of Spinach available in the markets and in stores and the packaged form can also be purchased from the store.