Sodium in raw organic spinach??!

Bpothik13

I am concerned about my sodium intake and I know that it is prevalent in a lot of processed foods, but I am looking at my breakfast menu and am surprised to see that there is 61 mg in organic raw spinach--I put the spinach in my smoothie this morning...also interesting to see trace amounts in my coffee and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

I had no idea that sodium was (apparently) naturally occurring in food that is otherwise not processed.

Do I have the wrong information or have I just been ignorant all this time?!

mydeloo78

Looks like there is. I'm going to guess its present in the soil and gets absorbed. Your body needs some sodium to function properly (kidneys and muscle contractions) so it isn't bad to have sodium. Just have to watch your levels and avoid "added" sodium.

LabRat529

Sodium is in most living organisms, including plants. It's a pretty common element, and is really important in many cell signaling processes. Like Mydeloo78 says, you do need some sodium for optimal health. Brain cells use it to send the electrical signals that keep your heart beating, your lungs expanding, your muscles moving, your brain thinking... I don't know what spinach uses it for. I am not so good with my plant biology.

Jorra

61mg is hardly a large amount of sodium. As LabRat said, sodium is important in cell signaling processes. It exists in the tissues of all organisms, plant and animal. You need it to power your nerve impulses, muscle movements, and various other processes in every cell of your body.

Plants use it to regenerate phosphoenolpyruvate, an important molecule in glycolysis.

Contrarian

Spinach is not the problem.

killagb

You have just been ignorant this whole time. Sodium IS in fact something your body does use and need...it's just bad in excess, like most anything else.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

What everyone is saying is correct.

Sodium is necessary for every living being at the cellular level.

When they talk about too much sodium they are talking about the excess sodium in processed, pagkaged, frozen, refined foods and most restaurant foods.

I have an issue with not getting enough sodium and have bad cramps, muscle aches, etc.............I am working on that though.

Bentley2718

I have an issue with not getting enough sodium and have bad cramps, muscle aches, etc.............I am working on that though.

I haven't had that issue lately, but I have had it in the past, you are the only other person I've ever heard say they had this problem. Nice to know I'm not alone.

LabRat529

Plants use it to regenerate phosphoenolpyruvate, an important molecule in glycolysis.

OOOOh! Thanks!