Spinach--Every day or not?

sandyrrt
sandyrrt Posts: 255 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I recently saw a post on Face Book regarding a smoothie made with baby spinach, fruit, juice, etc., touting the good health benefits spinach adds to a diet. However, someone posted a reply saying we shouldn't consume spinach on a daily basis as it is an oxidant (not an anti-oxidant) and therefore could cause some health problems. Has anyone ever heard of this?
Personally, I like to add baby spinach to my smoothies frequently.

Thanks for replies in advance :)

Replies

  • eggfooyumyum
    eggfooyumyum Posts: 42 Member
    I think spinach every day is fantastic! And I don't think spinach is an oxidant - I don't know what someone would mean to communicate by writing that. It's super healthy and adding it to your smoothie everyday is great. That's how I get my leafy greens. Who has the time to buy, wash, cook, and eat so many leafy greens. I say Go For It!
  • taylor5877
    taylor5877 Posts: 1,792 Member
    I know it's a different thing, but according to nutritiondata.com spinach is anti-inflammatory.
  • super_monty
    super_monty Posts: 419 Member
    I know it's a different thing, but according to nutritiondata.com spinach is anti-inflammatory.

    is anti-inflammatory good?

    I eat it quite a bit now prefer it to lettuce and rocket.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    I've read that you should rotate your greens meaning spinach one day, kale the next, etc. I do try to rotate the best I can.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    The only problem I can see with eating spinach every day is an increased iron count.
  • allisonmrn
    allisonmrn Posts: 721 Member
    I eat spinach everyday. Sometimes 2-3 times a day. I love it.
  • _granola
    _granola Posts: 326
    Spinach is good for you. Eat it.

    And increased iron? No. Spinach contains oxalate, which inhibits the absorption of iron from spinach (and other leafy greens). It has a high amount of iron in it, but only something like 5% of it is absorbed and used. In addition to that, it's non-heme iron, which limits its absorption rate already. Regardless, it contains many other micronutrients and phytonutrients that are good for you.
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    i think you would get more positive benefits than any possible negative effects. Someone mentioned too much iron, you would have to eat a s*** ton of spinach for it to be dangerous levels. Also variety is always obivously good and it might not be nutirtionally good to eat it all day everyday forever.


    in a realistic sense, it is an anti inflammatory, packed with nutrients and fresh. i say have at it.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    Pretty sure there is no downside to eating spinach every day!
  • linz1125
    linz1125 Posts: 441 Member
    Well I don't know where they got their informaiton, I've never heard that. Hey if you want to eat spinach every day, go for it! It's got so many wonderful vitamins and nutrients in it! I eat it as much as I can.
  • taylor5877
    taylor5877 Posts: 1,792 Member
    I know it's a different thing, but according to nutritiondata.com spinach is anti-inflammatory.

    is anti-inflammatory good?

    I eat it quite a bit now prefer it to lettuce and rocket.

    yes. Unless you like being an *kitten*...but that's a different meaning of inflammation altogether...lol.

    kidding aside, yes, it's good for food to be anti-inflammatory. most inflammatory processes make you feel bad for lack of a better way to put it.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    We often eat it daily at my house.
  • B_Running
    B_Running Posts: 158
    I've read about switching up your greens due to the alkalizing affect (over time) of spinach...

    Basically, it's all about balance - which I suck at, lol
  • jamk1446
    jamk1446 Posts: 5,577 Member
    Spinach is good for you. Eat it.

    And increased iron? No. Spinach contains oxalate, which inhibits the absorption of iron from spinach (and other leafy greens). It has a high amount of iron in it, but only something like 5% of it is absorbed and used. In addition to that, it's non-heme iron, which limits its absorption rate already. Regardless, it contains many other micronutrients and phytonutrients that are good for you.

    This. I think the person you saw reply confused oxidant for oxalate.
  • wendybrat75
    wendybrat75 Posts: 52 Member
    I love spinach & I eat it quite often!
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I eat 200 g of spinach every day. Love it.
  • sandyrrt
    sandyrrt Posts: 255 Member
    Wow! Thanks for all the responses. This relieves my concerns, since I do like to add to my protein shakes. It took me awhile to not be grossed out by the color it turned my shakes, but now I think they are quite colorful! It's also good to know it has anti-inflammatory properties as I am now of the age where Arthur has made an appearance (some fingers and my hips). So this is makes me happy:)
    And I agree, maybe that person confused oxalate with oxident....
  • medennison123
    medennison123 Posts: 191 Member
    every day all day
  • Sp1nGoddess
    Sp1nGoddess Posts: 1,134 Member
    It worked for Popeye!
  • kali31337
    kali31337 Posts: 1,048 Member
    I hope so because I try to eat it everyday
  • ErinRibbens
    ErinRibbens Posts: 370 Member
    From what I've ready you should steam it a bit before putting it in your smoothies. Large amounts of raw spinach (and some other raw veggies) can have an effect on your thyroid. But other than that, no, spinach every day is great!
  • Susan_Rae_1
    Susan_Rae_1 Posts: 154 Member
    wow. I guess i need to get some spinach.
  • ErinRibbens
    ErinRibbens Posts: 370 Member
    Here's an article that explains it better than I can:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/524841-the-effect-of-anti-nutrients-in-foods/
  • kylejh
    kylejh Posts: 221 Member
    It worked for Popeye!

    You beat me to it! :)

    Isn't spinach one of the super foods? I eat it every day with lunch.
  • rudimae
    rudimae Posts: 107
    Too much spinach is not good for you if you take Warfarin (Coumadin) to thin your blood as it can lessen the effectiveness. That's the only potential problem I see. Wish I liked it more!
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