How Spinach Can Fight Aging

You've heard that spinach is a superfood, but what does that word “superfood” really even mean?

In general, superfoods are foods that are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that have many benefits for your health. Spinach definitely falls into this category. What you may not know about spinach is how its many amazing properties can help fight the symptoms and signing of aging. Yes, really!

Here’s a list of benefits that will have you running to the store to buy some more fresh spinach:

Lowers blood pressure - As we age, our blood vessels can stiffen, causing our blood pressure to go up. Spinach is packed with potassium, a mineral your body needs to lower your blood pressure.

Healthy eyes - Our eyes begin to deteriorate due to age starting in our mid-20’s! We lose the ability to see things close up and see clearly in low light. The antioxidant lutein is known to protect against age-related eye diseases, and spinach is a great source of lutein.

Boosts cognition - Lutein isn't just good for your eyes. Studies have shown that older adults with higher lutein levels have better memory and verbal fluency than those with lower levels of the nutrient. We all want to keep our brains healthy and maintain cognition as we age, and taking advantage of the lutein in spinach is a great way to do that. 

Bone health - As we age, our bone mass decreases, making us more susceptible to breaks if we bump into things or fall. Eating just one cup of spinach per day provides you with the daily recommended value of vitamin K, a vitamin that keeps your bones healthy and strong. That’s a pretty good trade for one cup of spinach. Additionally, recent research has shown that strength training is one of the best ways to keep your bones (and entire body, really) healthy as you age. 

Healthy skin - Your skin needs vitamin A to stay hydrated and also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Spinach has you covered - and is generally much less expensive and better for you overall than the fancy wrinkle-reducing creams you see on TV.

Blood health - Spinach is an excellent source of iron. Iron helps your body produce hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen in the bloodstream and keep you energized throughout the day. Our bodies produce less hemoglobin as we age, so help your vascular system out by supplementing with spinach.