Spinach Words

Nutrition facts and recipes from one of nature's best superfoods.

Another WebTrev.Com Health Services specialist sub-site. © Copyright 2005 - 2008 , Trevor Johnson.

Spinach's Anti Aging Properties - The Fountain of Youth

Modern research proves the anti aging properties of spinach, particularly in relation to age related mental decline, age related eye and vision conditions and age related skeletal (bone) degeneration.

A 1998 study by Tufts University showed, for example, that in studies on rats, high antioxidant foods such as spinach in one sample and strawberries in another protected against and possibly even partially reversed movement and cognitive declines due to aging. ^{(Journal of Neuroscience, Oct 1998)}

"Our results show that these foods, particularly spinach, may be beneficial in retarding age-related central nervous system and cognitive behavioral deficits and perhaps may have some benefit in neurodegenerative disease," says J. Joseph PhD from Tufts University.

It is believed that the brain is vulnerable to free radical damage, which is believed to be a major contributing factor to age related decline in motor performance and memory.

Two similar studies in 2002 by the University of South Florida Center for Aging reiterated those results. Spinach and spirulina, both high in antioxidants, produced very beneficial results, whereas low antioxidant fruits such as cucumber did not. The antioxidant factor enhancing mental function was thus confirmed, whereas lifelong accumulation of free radicals can slow mental processes in old age and may be a factor in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. ^{(Journal of Neuroscience, July 2002)}

Age-related Macula Degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of age related blindness, may also be prevented by two phytonutrients found in spinach - lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients in the human body form macular pigment, a yellow oil that protects the macula (a central point in the retina of the eye. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also known to prevent cataracts, also a common age related eye disease. ^{(See also 'Spinach for Vision & Eye Health')}

The age related bone disease osteoporosis may also be avoided by regular dietary intake of spinach. Spinach is rich in beta-carotein, a precursor to Vitamin A which assists in bone growth and regeneration. Spinach is also one of nature's more powerful sources of Vitamin K which acts in a similar way to Vit.D in regulating calcium and "gluing" it into the bone matrix. ^{(See also 'Spinach for Bone Health')}