Spinach beneficial to eye health
Spinach is widely believed to improve eyesight because it consists of lutein and other carotenoids. And in turn, lutein is one of the most powerful antioxidants that protect the eyes against damage caused by UV rays in the sunlight. In detail, UV rays and blue wavelength in sunshine are specifically associated with age related macular degeneration. This eye disease is influencing a large number of individuals in their middle or old ages, depriving their central vision and leaving only peripheral vision. Without central vision, any close or distance work can be difficult. It is estimated that about one fifth of citizens older than 65 are affected by macular degeneration.
The worse news is that until now there is no effective treatment for macular degeneration. The only approach people can take is to prevent or minimize the risk of this disease. With this perspective, antioxidants including lutein that can lower the risk of causing macular degeneration are worthy of adequate consideration. Giving colors of many green leafy vegetables on one hand, lutein also functions as an antioxidant in the eyes. And spinach is one of great sources that containing much lutein.
Spinach is a highly adaptive plant that it can grow universally except for in tropic areas. In the early days, spinach was used as a substance for medicinal purposes because it contained oxalic acid. But now, spinach is widely consumed as a daily vegetable by nations in the world. Spinach in the early spring months is the freshest. In fact, this vegetable is available all year round, thanks to modern agricultural advances. In general, fresh spinach is better than that in frozen. Except for lutein, spinach also has plentiful of other nutrients such as vitamins C, E, B, minerals, phyto-nutrients, ogema-3 fatty acids and beta carotene etc. There is no concern related with spinach because this vegetable has very few calories.
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