
Spinach originates from Asia or Persia where it grew in the wild, and has been cultivated in China for the past 2000 years. The Moors introduced spinach into Spain in the 11th century, and soon became popular for use as a bed to place entrees upon.
Dishes that are prepared on a bed of spinach are referred to as “a la Florentine”. Popeye the sailor man would become stronger after consuming a can of spinach probably due to the uncorrected reported iron content in the 1930’s.
Today China is the world’s largest producer of spinach, and the United States the second biggest commercial producer.
Health Benefits of Spinach
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| Nutrient Values of Spinach per 100g | ||||
Calories
23kcal |
Energy Value
96kj |
Total Fat
0.26g |
Carbohydrates
3.75g |
Protein
2.97g |
|
Dietary Fiber
2.4g |
Sugars
0.43g |
Sodium
70mg |
Zinc
0.76mg |
Potassium
466mg |
|
Niacin
0.490mg |
Magnesium
87mg |
Copper
0.174mg |
Calcium
136mg |
Iron
3.57mg |
|
Vitamin E
2.08mg |
Vitamin C
9.8mg |
Vitamin B6
0.242mg |
Vit. B1 (Thiamine)
0.095mg |
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)
0.236mg |
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
4. de Vogel J, Jonker-Termont DS, Katan MB, van der Meer R. Natural chlorophyll but not chlorophyllin prevents heme-induced cytotoxic and hyperproliferative effects in rat colon. J Nutr. 2005 Aug;135(8):1995-2000. PMID: 16046728.
5. Renzi LM, Johnson EJ. Lutein and age-related ocular disorders in the older adult: a review. J Nutr Elder. 2007;26(3-4):139-57. PMID: 18285296.
6. Christen WG, Liu S, Glynn RJ, Gaziano JM, Buring JE. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and risk of cataract in women: a prospective study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Jan;126(1):102-9. PMID: 18195226.
7. Vu HT, Robman L, Hodge A, McCarty CA, Taylor HR. Lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of cataract: the Melbourne visual impairment project. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Sep;47(9):3783-6. PMID: 16936087.
8. Refsum H, Ueland PM, Nygård O, Vollset SE. Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Annu Rev Med. 1998;49:31-62. PMID: 9509248.
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