Tuesday, April 29

    Spinach facts

    Spinach is the family member of the beet and closely related to Swiss chard. It is a cool season crop of early spring or late fall. It is the vegetable greens cultivated for both salad and cooking purposes. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins which is cultivated on Arkansas.

    Name Spinach
    Scientific Name Spinacia oleracea
    Native Southwestern Asia
    Name in Other Languages Albanian: spinaq
    Basque: espinaka
    Catalan: espinacs
    Croatian: špinat
    Czech: listový špenát
    Danish: spinat
    Dutch: spinazie
    Estonian: spinat
    Finnish: pinaatti
    French: épinards
    German: Spinat
    Hungarian: spenót
    Icelandic: spínat
    Irish: spionáiste
    Italian: spinaci
    Latvian: spināti
    Lithuanian: špinatai
    Maltese: spinaċi
    Norwegian: spinat
    Polish: szpinak
    Portuguese: espinafre
    Romanian: spanac
    Slovak: špenát
    Slovenian: špinača
    Spanish:  Espinacas
    Swedish: spenat
    Welsh: sbigoglys
    Azerbaijani: ispanaq
    Khmer: spinach
    Uzbek: ismaloq
    Vietnamese: rau bina
    Turkish: ıspanak
    Afrikaans: spinasie
    Chichewa: sipinachi
    Hausa: alayyafo
    Somali: isbinaajka
    Swahili: mchicha
    Yoruba: owo
    Zulu: isipinashi
    Cebuano: spinach
    Filipino: spinach
    Indonesian: bayam
    Javanese: bayem
    Malagasy: epinara
    Malay: bayam
    Maori: kōkihi
    Esperanto: spinaco
    Haitian Creole: epina
    Latin: spinach
    Hindi: Palak
    Telugu: Pachchali Koora
    Malayalam: Vasala Cheera
    Tamil: Pasalai Keerai
    Bengali: Palang Sag
    Punjabi: Palak
    Plant Growth Habit Annual  or rarely biennial
    Growing Climate Cool
    Soil Well-drained
    Plant Size 30 cm
    Lifespan One
    Stem Thin, flexible stem, Height: 12 inches
    Leaf shape and size Alternate, simple, ovate-triangular; Length: 1-12 inches
    Leaf color Light-dark green
    Flower Inconspicuous, yellow-green, Diameter: 3–4 mm
    Fruit shape & size Small, hard dry, lumpy, Across: 1/4-1/2 inch
    Flavor/aroma Mild, crisp, pungent, earthy
    Major Nutritions (Raw) Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 144.9 µg (120.75%)
    Vitamin A, RAE 141 µg (20.14%)
    Vitamin B9 (Folate) 58 µg (14.50%)
    Manganese, Mn 0.269 mg (11.70%)
    Iron, Fe 0.81 mg (10.13%)
    Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 8.4 mg (9.33%)
    Magnesium, Mg 24 mg (5.71%)
    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.058 mg (4.46%)
    Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.057 mg (4.38)
    Copper, Cu 0.039 mg (4.33%)
    Health Benefits
    • Eye ailments
    • Age related disease
    • Neural functions
    • Reduces blood pressure
    • Supports muscles
    • Bones
    • Cataracts
    • Metabolic functions
    • Treats ulcers
    • Prevent strokes
    • Proper development of fetus
    • Anti-inflammation
    • Anti-cancer activity
    • Protects skin
    • Growth of infants
    Calories in 1 cup (30 gm) Raw 7 Kcal.
     Precautions
    • The purine content in Spinach could precipitate Gout.
    • Some people might experience allergic reactions to Spinach.
    • The oxalates found in Spinach may obstruct the calcium absorption. Those with gallbladder or kidney problems should be careful while consuming this green.
    • The functions of thyroid gland functions. The cooking may decrease goitrogenic compounds found in Spinach.
    • Raw spinach could lead to food-borne illness such as E. coli.
    • Due to the intake of Spinach, some people might experience kidney stones because of high oxalic acid found in the plant.
    How to Eat
    • Spinach can be consumed either raw or cooked.
    • Spinach is added in recipes such as soups, curries, quiches, soufflés and pates.
    Other Facts
    • Spinach is considered as the third popular children’s food after ice cream and turkey after the Popeye’s debut made on 1929, January 17th.
    • Spinach is known as “The Persian Green” in China.
    • March 26th is celebrated as the National Spinach Day.
    • Spinach acts like a diuretic and laxative because it eliminates excess water and bowels from the body.
    • China produces 19 million tons of spinach. So China is considered as the greatest manufacturer of spinach.