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 17 Amazing Health Benefits of Palak, Spinach, baby spinach

17 Amazing Health Benefits of Palak, Spinach, baby spinach + Healthy Recipes 

For many years, nutritionists and mothers have known about the awesome power of spinach and its importance to a healthy diet. After all, there is a reason your mother always encouraged you to eat your spinach, and Popeye can certainly confirm to the awesome power of this leafy veggie.

17 Health Benefits of Spinach, Palak, baby spinach

17-Health-Benefits-of-Spinach


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1. Good Source of Iron :
Spinach is one of the richest plant sources of Iron and it should be part of a healthy diet for everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. Cooked spinach is an excellent source of iron, a mineral that it particularly important for menstruating women, who are more at risk for iron deficiency.

Boosting iron stores with spinach is a good idea, especially because, in comparison to red meat, a well-known source of iron, spinach provides iron for a lot less calories and is totally fat-free.

Boost-Iron-Levels-with-Spinach

2. Great Source of Insoluble Fiber :
Raw spinach is very rich in insoluble fibre, 25% having soluble fiber and 75% insoluble fiber. The insoluble fibre contained in spinach has also been associated with protecting the heart and other vital organs from damage. Also known to prevent colon cancer as it removes toxic waste from our body quickly.

High-Fibre-Spinach

3. Good for Eyes :
Beta Carotene, Lutein and Xanthene are all present in good quantities in Spinach which are great for your eyes and protect against age related macular degeneration- the leading cause of loss of vision. It also reduces puffiness and irritation of the eyes.

Spinach-for-Healthy-Vision

4. Anti Inflammatory :
Spinach is a great Antioxidant and also one of the best vegetables to reduce cellular inflammation. Cutting out processed foods and sugar will go a long way in living a healthy lifestyle.

One of the antioxidant found in spinach is factor CO-Q10 which is very important in strengthening your muscles, especially heart muscles and pump blood to different parts of your body.

Anti-Inflammatory-Effect-of-Spianch

5. Aids in Weight Loss :
To reduce your overall calorie intake for a healthy weight loss, you need to replace your high calorie food with the lower ones. 1½ cup of spinach contains only 26 calories which is remarkably low. You can easily include the fresh green colored spinach in place of calories loaded with saturated fats and simple sugars. Thus aids in your weight loss goals. Also spinach is a good source of fiber which will make you feel full for a longer period of time. Thus contributes in lowering your total calorie intake. 

Low-Calorie-Spinach-for-Weight-Loss

6. Diabetic friendly : 
With exceptionally low carbohydrate content, spinach is considered as one of the super food for diabetics. Due to low CHO content, the glycemic load of 1½ cup of spinach is just 1. This makes spinach a very safe option for consumption. Limiting the amount of carbohydrate intake per meal to manage your blood sugar levels is important. Around 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrate is advisable per meal depending on your blood glucose levels.

The fiber content in spinach also helps in maintaining your blood sugar levels. You can include spinach in your paratha, tikkis, sabji and make it more nutritious. Try making spinach juice combined with other vegetables low in calories such as tomato, cucumber or mix fresh spinach in salads.

Low-Carb-Spinach-to-Control-Diabetes

7. Rich in Vitamin C :
Spinach is rich in Vitamin C which has immune fighting effect. It forms an important defence against cold and cough.

Vitamoin-C-to-Fight-Cold-and-Cough

8. Rich in Vitamin A :
Topping the list of nutrients for healthy vision is Vitamin A and spinach has plenty of it. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for proper vision and proves to be very beneficial for the development of growth, regulation of epithelial tissues and immunity.

Source-Vitamin-A-from-Spinach-for-Healthy-Vision

9. Make your bones strong :
Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale contain good amounts of Calcium which is a mineral that makes bones stay This will prevent you from the risk of osteoporosis.

Build-Strong-Bones-with-Spinach

10. Helps body produce new Red Blood Cells :
Folate or Vitamin B9 helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially red blood cells. It also helps prevents DNA changes that might cause cancer. Sometimes, when you complain of fatigue, skin problems or palpitations, the doctor prescribes folic acid tablets. Simple solution is to up the Folate rich foods like Spinach.

Increase-Red-Blood-Cell-Count-with-Spinach

11. Healthy Brain and Nervous System :
Most vegetables are rich in Vitamin B6 and help maintain a healthy nervous system. Potassium being an important part of brain health, it is associated with increased blood flow to the brain, improving your cognitive abilities and concentration. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach is a good source of niacin, thus helps in improving brain functions.

Eat-Spinach-to-Boost-Brain-Health

12. Improves your heart health :
Spinach is a very good source of folic acid which is known to reduce the homocysteine levels responsible for cardiovascular diseases. A special pigment called lutein is present in spinach that reduces the onset of atherosclerosis and many other heart related diseases.

It also lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and fat deposition in the blood vessels. Thus spinach proves to be beneficial for your heart.

Spinach-for-Healthy-Heart

13. Controls Blood Pressure :
Being rich in Potassium, Spinach controls blood pressure, sustain cardiac health and promote muscle and nerve function.

Maintain-Blood-Pressure-with-Spinach

14. Good source of Zinc :
Zinc helps in immunity building, good for skin and fights cancer.

Build-Immunity-with-Zinc-from-Spinach

15. Lowers Insulin Level :
Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable which is high in Magnesium which helps in formation of bones, lowers insulin levels and helps in metabolism of calcium and potassium.

Lower-Insulin-Level-with-a-Daily-Dose-of-Spinach

16. Provides Energy :
Spinach is rich in Vitamin B1, thiamin or thiamine which is essential for glucose metabolism. It extracts energy from our food and converts it into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the biochemical form in which our body stores and uses energy.

Also rich in Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, enables you to get usable energy from the foods you eat.

Spinach-Helps-in-Energy-Metabolism

17. Great for Hair :
Spianch is rich in Vitamin E which  helps balance cholesterol levels, repair damaged skin and keeps your hair shiny and healthy.

Shiny-Hair-with-Spinach


17-Health-Benefits-of-Spinach,-Palak

Nutritional Information of Spinach

One cup of chopped Spinach is 68 grams.
Nutritional Information for 1 cup chopped Spinach.

17.68 Calories
1.36 grams of Protein
1.97 grams of Carbs
1.7 grams of High Fiber
0.47 grams of Fat

3794 mcg of Vitamin A = 158 % of RDA (about 2,400 mcg)

83.64 mcg Folate, Vitamin B9 (FA) = 83.64% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

0.176 mg of Riboflavin, Vitamin B2 = 16 % of RDA (about 1.1 mg)

53.52 mg of Magnesium (Mg) = 12.43% of RDA (about 350 mg )

1.83 mg of Iron (Fe) = 9.1% of RDA(about 20 mg for women)

1.7 grams of High Fiber = 6.8% of RDA (about 25 to 30 grams)

67.32 mg of Calcium (Ca) = 6.7% of RDA (about 1000 mg)

140 mg of Potassium (K) :2.9% of RDA (about 4,700 mg)

0.34 mg of Vitamin B3, Niacin = 2.8% of RDA (about 12 mg)

1.36 g Protein = 2.4% of RDA (55 g)

14.28 mg of Phosphorus : 2.3% of RDA (about 600 mg for adult)

40 mg of Sodium (Na) = 2.1% of RDA (1902 mg)

0.2 mg of Zinc = 2.04% of RDA (about 10 to 12 mg)

0.02 mg of Vitamin B1, Thiamine : 1.7% of RDA (about 1.2 to 1.5 mg)

 

Spinach-Nutritional-Information
 

Healthy Spinach Recipes

With all the benefits spinach has to offer we have used in a wide variety of recipes, from juices, soups to salads, from side dishes to main courses. We have made sure that the soup recipes have no cornflour as that is bad for your health as it spikes your blood sugar level up and shuts down the fat burning process. Try the super healthy Spinach Paneer and Dal soup which is only 72 calories. Pair that with Bajra Roti had with Spinach Mushroom Subzi with Palak Raita.  

The best way to start your morning is with a healthy breakfast which can be a Spinach and Mint Juice or Spinach Orange Beetroot Juice. We have not forgotten the small babies and have included a Spinach Paneer Puree for the adorable little one.

There is a reason why spinach has such a reputation as a health food; it seems that the reputation is more than deserved.

Health Benefits Of Palak Spinach



1.

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dal and paneer soup recipe | palak paneer soup | healthy moong dal and paneer soup | palak paneer moong dal soup is a lip-smacking soup using low-fat paneer. To make dal and paneer soup, combine the yellow moong dal, spinach, onions and 6 cups of water in a deep non-stick pan, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes or till moong dal turns soft. Allow it to cool completely and blend the spinach mixture (along with the water) in a mixer to a smooth purée. Transfer the purée into a deep non-stick pan, add the butter, salt, pepper and paneer, mix well and bring to a boil. Serve moong dal and paneer soup hot. Palak paneer soup being rich in calcium and protein helps to maintain bone strength and repair damaged tissues. A serving of this soup fulfils almost 11% of the day's calcium requirement for calcium. Give your bones a health boost. With a good amount of folate and fibre, this healthy moong dal and paneer soup qualifies as a healthy heart recipe too. A low level of folate, impairs the level of homocysteine in the body which is a risk factor for heart disease. vitamin A and vitamin C are 2 other key nutrients this palak paneer moong dal soup is rich in. Both these nutrients work as antioxidants and promote every cell and tissue health. With only 72 calories per serving, this dal and paneer soup is a great addition to a weight loss menu. Enjoy it hot on a rainy day and dwell into the flavours of refreshing spinach. Remember to enjoy it as it is and not add on excess calories by way of toasted bread. Enjoy dal and paneer soup recipe | palak paneer soup | healthy moong dal and paneer soup | palak paneer moong dal soup.

2.

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spinach and paneer soup recipe | palak paneer soup | healthy spinach cottage cheese soup | with 20 amazing images. spinach and paneer soup is a nutritious and flavorful recipe for pregnant women seeking a healthy and comforting soup. Learn how to make palak paneer soup . Onions and black pepper add a wonderful flavour to this spinach based soup while paneer gives a rich texture in spinach and paneer soup . Generally, mild flavours are preferred during the first trimester , but if you yearn for – and can comfortably handle – a little more spice, add one or two cloves of garlic or a quarter or a teaspoon of mixed herbs to pep up this nutritious palak paneer soup . To make spinach and paneer soup , heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. Add the spinach and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Once cooled, blend in a mixer till smooth using 11/2 cups of water. Transfer the mixture back into the same non-stick pan, add the paneer, salt and pepper, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve spinach and paneer soup immediately. spinach and paneer soup is rich in vitamin A, Folic acid , calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin B2 . pro tips for spinach and paneer soup . 1. Consider using olive oil or coconut oil instead of processed seed oils for a healthier diet. Olive oil is a strong antioxidant and good for heart. Also it has anti-inflammatory properties.. This is one of the healthiest oils you can opt for. 2. Spinach has a mild, earthy flavor that compliments the savory notes of the soup. It also adds a slightly bitter taste that balances the richness of the paneer. Spinach is one of the richest plant sources of iron and it should be part of a healthy diet for everyone. Enjoy spinach and paneer soup recipe | palak paneer soup | healthy spinach cottage cheese soup | with step by step photos.

3.

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palak pachadi recipe | South Indian spinach raita | spinach yoghurt raita | with 22 amazing images. palak pachadi recipe | South Indian spinach raita | spinach yoghurt raita is a totally refreshing accompaniment. Learn how to make South Indian spinach raita. To make palak pachadi, heat the coconut oil in a small broad non-stick pan, add the spinach and saute on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep aside to cool. Transfer the spinach into a bowl. Add curd, green chillies, peanuts, chaat masala, sugar and salt and mix well. For the tempering, heat the oil in a small non-stick pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds crackle, add the urad dal and curry leaves and saute on medium flame for 30 seconds. Pour the tempering over the spinach-curd mixture. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve chilled. Spinach and curd is always a very nutritious combo, making this spinach yoghurt raita a must-have. Traces of chaat and sugar make the raita tastier, while the green chillies add a bit of fire to an otherwise bland raita. Sauteeing the palak for a couple of minutes acquire a flavours and textures that your taste buds will love to indulge in! Moreover the coconut oil used for tempering lends an authentic taste to the South Indian spinach raita. While spinach is an antioxidant boost, curd help lend the necessary protein, calcium and phosphorus for bone strengthening process. All healthy individuals can enjoy this accompaniment. Diabetics are advised to avoid the use of sugar and all weight watchers can make their choice between low fat and full fat curd to make this palak pachadi. Tips to make palak pachadi. 1. Ensure to use fresh curd for best flavour. 2. Do not over cook spinach, else it might lose its colour. palak pachadi recipe | South Indian spinach raita | spinach yoghurt raita | with step by step photos.

4.

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spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing recipe | palak, lettuce and bean sprout salad | healthy Indian bean sprouts salad | with 26 amazing images. spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing recipe | palak, lettuce and bean sprout salad | healthy Indian bean sprouts salad is a perfect blend of hue, flavour and nourishment. Learn how to make palak, lettuce and bean sprout salad. To make spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing, combine all the ingredients along with the dressing in a deep bowl and toss well. Serve immediately. Toss up a tongue-tickling salad of bean sprouts, spinach and veggies, laced with a luscious dressing made with low-fat curds. Contrasting shades of carrot and greens in an off-white background makes this palak, lettuce and bean sprout salad a delight to behold, while the tangy hints of lemon and peppy pepper excite the taste buds. The protein, vitamin A, folic acid, fibre and other nutrients in this healthy Indian bean sprouts salad will help fight infections, nourish your skin and make you glow with good health. The creaminess of this salad is from the curd. All health conscious people including diabetics, heart patients and weight-watchers can enjoy this salad. They can make their choice between full fat curd and low fat curd. Serve this spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing with a bowl of Carrot and Coriander Soup for a satiating, yet light dinner. Tips for spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing. 1. Mix well. Make the dressing just before serving the salad. The reason is that the dressing is using thick curd and will further thicken if kept in the fridge. 2. Put salad in the fridge to chill and add dressing before serving. Enjoy spinach and bean sprouts in creamy celery dressing recipe | palak, lettuce and bean sprout salad | healthy Indian bean sprouts salad | with step by step photos.

5.

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spinach hummus recipe | healthy Indian style spinach hummus | palak hummus for kids tiffins | with 19 amazing images. spinach hummus is a quick healthy Indian style spinach hummus can be super for palak hummus for kids tiffins. Kabuli chana, also known as chick peas, is the prime ingredient of any hummus. In this spinach hummus, chick peas are soaked and cooked till done. Spinach, garlic, green chillies and lemon juice are added to it as flavour enhancers. Curd and olive oil in this homemade Spinach hummus is to ease the process of blending and give a smooth texture to the hummus. Curd will add on to your protein levels while the olive oil will lend omega-3 fats – the healthy fats known to protect your heart in healthy parsley hummus. Imagine packing a nice, satiating palak hummus for kids tiffins in your kids’ snack box along with something refreshing like cucumber or carrot sticks. it would transform their break into a very jolly and relaxing time. The Spinach Hummus is the perfect choice for this, because it is colourful, healthy and filling too as it is loaded with chickpeas and spinach. Apt ingredients like green chilli paste, curds and lemon juice impart an exciting flavour and perfect texture to the hummus, which stays fresh in the tiffin box for around 5 hours. To save time, you can cook the chickpeas the previous night itself. If doing so, add a little more water when blending the chickpeas the next morning. Also pack some Chatpata Popcorn in another tiffin for a perfect short break combo. You can serve the Spinach hummus along with Lavash or Chips, to make a wonderful finger food. You can munch on it while watching a movie, but it is so tasty that it can be served at parties too! You can also try other Lebanese delights like Lebanese Garlic Sauce and Pita Bread. Learn to make spinach hummus recipe | healthy Indian style spinach hummus | palak hummus for kids tiffins | with detailed step by step recipe photos below.

6.

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spinach mushroom sabzi recipe | palak mushroom curry | healthy palak vegetable sabzi | with 35 amazing images. spinach mushroom sabzi is a delicious North Indian curry. Learn how to make healthy palak vegetable sabzi. The spinach mushroom sabzi is a luxuriant dish that vibrates with the effect of spices, whole and ground. The contrasting textures of mushrooms and spinach make the spinach mushroom sabzi a delight to chew while the addition of fresh cream gives it a lusciously rich mouth-feel. You must take care not to over-cook the mushrooms as they will shrink and lose their nice texture. A range of spices and spice powders come together with ingredients like ginger, garlic, tomatoes and onions to give this palak mushroom curry its remarkable flavour and aroma. Diabetic, heart issues or on weight loss, then try palak mushroom curry with some homemade tandoori roti. spinach mushroom sabzi is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B2. 81 calories per serving for spinach mushroom sabzi. spinach mushroom sabzi is perfect for an Indian lunch tiffin box with rotis. You could also serve spinach mushroom sabzi hot with aloo paratha, paneer kulcha or naan. Enjoy spinach mushroom sabzi recipe | palak mushroom curry | healthy palak vegetable sabzi | with step by step photos.

7.

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Spinach Paneer Puree for Babies | Palak Paneer Puree for Babies | Palak recipe for Babies | Spinach Puree for Babies | Homemade Spinach Paneer Puree for Babies | Homemade Palak Recipe for Babies | with 15 amazing images. Now that your baby is above the age of eight months, try this wholesome Spinach Paneer Purée for Babies. The addition of spinach provides folic acid for brain development, while delicious paneer provides calcium for the healthy growth of your baby's bones. The apt combination of ingredients in Palak Paneer Puree for Babies gives a very appealing taste, even without the need for salt or sugar, and an attractive colour too. At this stage, you should start experimenting with foods that are vibrantly coloured, such as foods using spinach, beetroot, carrots, etc., so that the baby finds it visually appealing and becomes naturally curious to try tasting it. This natural attraction to foods in the form of Spinach Paneer Puree for Babies, will make meal times more fun rather than having to force food down your baby’s throat! Enjoy Spinach Paneer Puree for Babies | Palak Paneer Puree for Babies | Palak recipe for Babies | Spinach Puree for Babies | Homemade Spinach Paneer Puree for Babies | Homemade Palak Recipe for Babies with detailed step by step photos

8.

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spinach and paneer dip recipe | Indian spinach dip | healthy palak paneer dip | with 20 amazing images. spinach and paneer dip recipe | Indian spinach dip | healthy palak paneer dip is a quick, easy and scrumptious snack. Learn how to make Indian spinach dip. To make spinach and paneer dip, put the spinach in a broad non-stick pan and cook (without using any water) on a high flame for 1 minute. Remove from the pan and keep aside. Heat the oil in the same broad non-stick pan, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. Combine the onions, spinach, paneer, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper in a mixer and blend till smooth. Transfer the dip into a bowl and refrigerate for atleast an hour. Serve chilled with cucumber sticks. Light and tasty, the palak paneer dip has a perfect medley of textures and flavours. Creamy spinach, crumbly paneer and crunchy onions, delicately flavoured with herbs and lemon juice, this diabetic-friendly dip is quite a treat to the palate. The lemon juice not only complements in terms of flavour with all the other ingredients, but it also helps to maintain the colour of the Indian spinach dip. Team it with cucumber sticks, to make a lively snack! Heart patients and weight-watchers can also relish this healthy palak paneer dip without any guilt. They can make their choice between low fat paneer and full fat paneer. The spinach adds iron, while onions provide antioxidant quercetin which helps to strengthen the heart. Tips for spinach and paneer dip. 1. Do not add water while cooking spinach as we need to remove the moisture in it. 2. Dried oregano can be replaced with dried mixed herbs. 3. You can serve this wholesome dip with healthy crackers like ragi and oats crackers too. Enjoy spinach and paneer dip recipe | Indian spinach dip | healthy palak paneer dip | with step by step photos.

9.

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palak pudina juice for weight loss recipe | healthy Indian green juice | weight loss drink with spinach | weight loss spinach juice | with 24 amazing images. Palak pudina juice for weight loss is a health concoction which can be relished early morning or in between meals. The bright green colour of Healthy Indian green juice is so appealing that it can lure anyone. Learn how to make weight loss drink with spinach. To make palak pudina juice for weight loss combine the spinach, mint leaves and coriander along with ½ cup of water and blend well. Strain the juice if you wish to. Perk up its flavour by adding lemon juice. Adding of jaljeera powder for enhanced taste is totally optional. Mix well and serve immediately. Spinach, mint and coriander – all the greens are a very good source of iron . This key nutrient helps to supply oxygen and other nutrients to all parts of the body and thus avoid fatigue setting in. A glass of this healthy Indian green juice early morning is sure to keep you fresh through the day. Weight loss drink with spinach is also brimming with vitamin A – a key nutrient for healthy vision. Lemon juice not only adds slight tang but also adds a dose of vitamin C which build your immunity. Packed with many other nutrients like vitamin E, folic acid and magnesium, it provides only 27 calories per glass. Try weight loss spinach juice when looking out for weight loss recipes that help to fight inflammation and reduce stress. Enjoy palak pudina juice for weight loss recipe | healthy Indian green juice | weight loss drink with spinach | weight loss spinach juice | with step by step photos.

10.

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spinach orange beet juice recipe | healthy beet orange juice | benefits of beet spinach orange juice | beet detox juice | with 9 amazing images. spinach orange beet juice recipe | healthy beet orange juice | benefits of beet spinach orange juice | beet detox juice is a nourishing concoction for any time of the day. Learn how to make healthy beet orange juice. To make spinach orange beet juice, add the spinach, orange segments, beetroot cubes and apple cubes a few at a time in the juicer. Add some crushed ice in 2 individual glasses and pour equal quantities of the juice over it. Serve immediately. iron being needed to make blood and deliver oxygen to the cells, its deficiency results in lethargy and slowed mental function. This beet spinach orange juice is apt to keep anaemia at bay as it has the goodness of spinach, beetroot, apple and orange. Spinach acts as iron builder whereas apples and beetroot impart little sweetness. Addition of oranges makes this healthy beet orange juice more nourishing. They have been added to benefit from their high vitamin C content, which in turn has a helping hand in enhancing the absorption of iron. The high nitrate content of beetroots is beneficial too. It gets converted to nitric oxide which result in the expansion the blood vessels and thereby helps in lowering the high blood pressure and ensuring proper oxygen flow to all parts of the body. Apple, on the other hand, add a dose of fibre . Thus there are many other benefits of beet spinach orange juice too! A glass of this beet detox juice early in the morning had on an empty stomach is great to cleanse your body. It also provides antioxidant which helps to fight the harmful free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation, thus maintaining the health of all organs of the body. From healthy individuals to obese and those with heart disease, all can relish this drink. A health tip for spinach orange beet juice. Enjoy this juice immediately on making to benefit the most from its nutrients. Enjoy spinach orange beet juice recipe | healthy beet orange juice | benefits of beet spinach orange juice | Indian beet detox juice | with step by step photos.

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