Benefits and Risks of Eating Spinach
Disease description:
What are the causes of a constitution prone to anemia, and how can it be properly regulated? My family members suggested eating spinach for improvement. I would like to ask the doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of consuming spinach.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Benefits of eating spinach:
1. Promotes blood production and stops bleeding: Spinach is rich in iron, which helps promote red blood cell production and increases hemoglobin levels, thereby achieving a blood-nourishing effect. At the same time, the vitamin K it contains promotes the synthesis of prothrombin, aiding in blood clotting.
2. Promotes bowel movement: The large amount of plant fiber in spinach stimulates intestinal peristalsis, increases stool volume, and helps relieve constipation.
3. Enhances disease resistance: Nutrients in spinach such as beta-carotene and folic acid help improve human immunity and strengthen disease resistance.
4. Protects vision: Beta-carotene in spinach can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which is beneficial for protecting the retina and improving vision.
Disadvantages of eating spinach:
1. Indigestion: Spinach is a cold-natured food, and excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
2. Risk of kidney stones: Spinach contains relatively high levels of oxalic acid. If consumed in large quantities together with calcium-rich foods, it may form calcium oxalate stones, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
Special populations such as kidney stone patients and individuals requiring high-calcium or high-iron diets should control their spinach intake to avoid health risks.
