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You probably remember the cartoon character “Popeye the Sailor-man”. This cartoon character would always get his strength from eating a can of spinach. After eating his spinach, he would defeat his enemies.
Just like “Popeye”, the spinach-eating sailor, you can benefit from adding spinach to your meal plan. Spinach is referred to as a “superfood” because it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and health benefits.
Here’s what’s in spinach for you:
Spinach helps to improve your energy. It contains magnesium that is used to process energy in the body. Including just one cup of cooked spinach in your meal, which provides 157 mg of magnesium, will help you to get almost 40 percent of your daily-recommended intake of magnesium.
According to studies, cooked spinach can also improve the absorption of iron that is also needed for energy and helps oxygen transport in the red blood cells.
Making this leafy green vegetable a part of your healthy eating plan may protect eyesight and reduce the risk of age-related vision problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Spinach is a good source of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are substances find in plant foods that have health benefits. Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin that have antioxidant functions that protects the body from damaging effects of free radicals that can destroy cells and play a role in diseases.
Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a nutrient that is needed for the growth of all bodily tissues including hair and skin.
Another important nutrient found in spinach is vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is important for the immune system, and helps with the absorption of iron.
Including spinach on your plate can improve your bone health. Spinach is a good source of calcium and vitamin K.
Spinach in any form is a good choice. Get your spinach your way, fresh, frozen or canned. This is a superfood with many health benefits.
Try this easy spinach pizza recipe:
Ingredients:
Oil (to grease pan)
1 can (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup Alfredo sauce
2 cups chopped spinach
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease the pizza pan or rectangular pan with oil, using a pastry brush.
Open the can of pizza crust and take out the dough. Unroll dough and place it in the greased pan. Starting in the center of dough, press dough to the edge of pan, using your hands.
Bake for about 5 minutes or until the crust is light golden brown. Use the potholder to remove pan from the oven. Cool for 5 minutes on a wire cooling rack.
Spread Alfredo sauce evenly over pizza crust using a rubber spatula staying about a 1/2 inch from the edge of the crust.
Sprinkle the chopped spinach evenly over sauce. Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
Place pan back in oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Cool pizza for 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and enjoy.
Source: https://www.medicaldaily.com/5-health-benefits-spi...
