Spinach Words

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

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Spinach for Maternal, Fetal & Early Childhood Health & Development

Healthy fetal development requires the mother to have adequate folate / folic acid intake. It has been well establish over the past two decades in many studies replicated around the world that neural tube defects such as spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate are caused by lack of folate during the first two weeks after conception. (ie - before the woman even realises that she is pregnant.) Some governments, including the US Government, have now mandated folate fortification of flour and cereal products in order to raise average folate levels in the population and prevent these serious birth defects. The results of this mandate have exceeded expectations. ^{(Journal of Nutrition, Dec 2001.)} That said, many or most countries do not mandate folate fortification of flour & cereal products, so it is important that women of childbearing age consume adequate and regular folate from dietary sources such as spinach.

The fact of folate deficiency and birth defects is unquestioned and well know. The method by which folate or folic acid protects the fetus is still under investigation, though animal research is implicating specific genetical factors. ^{(Nature Genetics, Oct 1, 1999.)} Prior to mandatory fortification, around one birth in 1,000 resulted in spina bifida and one in 600 had cleft lip or cleft palate. These figures still occur in parts of the world where folate intake is low.

Female fertility is also enhanced by folate, according to an Hungarian study which went on to also report that the incidence of twins also increased when folate supplementation was taken periconceptually (around the time of conception). ^{(Pregnancy outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of periconceptional multivitamin supplementation. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Volume 255, Number 3 / July, 1994)} While this study was based on folate supplementation, it is highly probably that dietary sources of folate, such as spinach, should produce the same effect if the consumption equates to a supplemental dose of folate. As the supplemental dose in the study was just 0.8mg of folate daily periconceptually, regular ingestion of spinach to achieve this dose is relatively easy. N.B. A number of subsequent studies internationally have cast doubt on the increased risk of twinning. No other studies, however, have questioned the improvement in the fertility rate. This appears to be well accepted now in scientific circles.

Vitamin A is also a vital nutrient for the growing fetus during pregnancy and also during breastfeeding. Spinach is one of nature's most potent sources of beta carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A that the human body readily converts into Vitamin A. It has an important role in the healthy development of the fetus and the newborn, with lung development and maturation being particularly important. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a 40% increase in Vitamin A intake for pregnant women and a 90% increase for breastfeeding women. The American Pediatrics Association also cites Vitamin A as one of the most critical vitamins during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period. ^{( The importance of β-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women. European Journal of Nutrition Volume 46, Supplement 9 / August, 2007)}

The benefits of spinach for infants is not confined to their fetal stage. Post birth, spinach is an important source of a wide range of most of the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids a child needs. (Obviously, spinach cannot be a sole source of nutrition for infants as it still lacks the necessary levels of essential oils (essential fatty acids or EFAs) and calcium that are best sourced from breast milk.)

It is recorded that the USA had a child malnutrition epidemic in the first three decades of the 20th century. This was a result of factors such as world wars and resultant international food shortages. It is not a coincidence that "Popeye the Sailorman" emerged during this period. Popeye was noted for the super-strength he gained when eating his spinach. Marketed as a cartoon character was a deliberate strategy to aim spinach as a nutrition source to children in response to the malnutrition crisis of the era. The success of the strategy is something we should all note today. ^{("The Popeye Principle: Selling Child Health in the First Nutrition Crisis" Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 2005 30(5):803-838;)}

That said in favor of spinach in early childhood, other research recommends that home-prepared infant foods from vegetables including spinach should be avoided until infants are three months of age or older. Cases of infant nitrate poisoning exist from home-prepared vegetable based infant foods for babies under three months of age, though all indications are that after three months of age, such risk virtually ceases to exist. (All commercially prepared vegetable-based infant foods tested have been found to be safe for even babies under three months of age.) ^{(Infant Methemoglobinemia: The Role of Dietary Nitrate in Food and Water. PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 3 September 2005, pp. 784-786)}

During those first three months of an infant's life, though, they can still benefit indirectly from spinach, due to the high level of nutrients that the mother passes on to the baby while breastfeeding.