Spinach also helps to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Because of its delicate cell wall, spinach can be destroyed by cooking at high temperatures. Magnesium also plays a part in numerous biochemical reactions in the body. For instance, recent studies suggest that diets rich in these two compounds may protect against macular degeneration and other age-related diseases of the eye (26, 27). We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Known by the botanical name of Spinacia oleracea, spinach is a leafy green vegetable that originated in South-West Asia (1). Inflammation is part of how your body mends itself after you get hurt or come into contact with a dangerous substance. Can frozen spinach be added to smoothies? Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. One of the most common questions about whole-spinach consumption is whether or not to eat the stems. Consuming large amounts of oxalate in the diet can increase a persons risk of developing kidney stones. The answer may surprise you, but the truth is that it is possible. Spinach is high in vitamin K1, which serves several functions in your body but is best known for its role in blood clotting. Our research shows that spinach stems can provide a great flavor and texture to smoothies. Bake together spinach, artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack cheese for a classic dip. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids in spinach that lower your chances of having long-term eye conditions. If you are in this risk group, talk to your doctor about including spinach in your diet.. Straight species Malabar spinach has yellowish stems and green leaves and is a pleasing enough plant, but it's the red-stemmed cultivar 'Rubra' that really catches the eye (whether it's growing in a pot or lounging in a salad bowl). This happens because they lower levels of a hunger hormone and raise hormones that make you feel full.