Spinach Nutrients - Part Four
Macronutrients - Fats & Carbohydrates
Macronutrients (Fats & Carbohydrates) in Spinach
Fats: (1.1 gm per full cup)
Saturated Fats 0.2 gm
- Saturated fats generally are necessary for human cellular health.
Cell membranes are approx. 50% saturated fat, providing them with
stiffness and stability.
Myristic acid - Minor quantities of
this fat are found in spinach. This fat is common in trace quantities
in most vegetables, grains and seeds, though is most abundant in dairy
products and coconut oil - sources most modern diet advice tends to
shun. Nonetheless, Myristic Acid functions in the human body to
stabilise cell proteins used in the immune system and to fight tumours.
Palmitic acid - Minor quantities are
found in spinach. Found abundantly in palm oil and animal and dairy
fats. Palmitic Acid is necessary for human hormone formation. It, along
with Stearic Acid, is vital to heart health. They are the preferred
energy sources for the heart muscle, particularly in times of stress.
Stearic acid - Minor quantities found
in spinach. Found abundantly in animal fat. It, along with Palmitic
Acid, is vital to heart health. They are the preferred energy sources
for the heart muscle, particularly in times of stress. Stearic acid is
now believed to help lower blood serum cholesterol levels.
Monounsaturated Fats -
0.0 gm, though trace levels exist of:
Palmitoleic acid - Trace levels at
best. Insufficient to warrant discussion.
Oleic acid - Trace levels at best.
Insufficient to warrant discussion.
Polyunsaturated Fats 0.4
gm
Linoleic acid - Commonly known as
Omega 6, one of the two essential fatty acid groups. Necessary for
prostaglandin (a type of hormone with many functions) production.
Linolenic acid - Spinach's most
abundant oil. Linolenic acid is one of the three oils comprising the
Omega 3 fatty acids group of oils, and also an essential fatty acid.
Well known for being heart healthy, cholesterol lowering, and
anti-inflammatory.
Trans Fats 0.0 gm.
(Trans fats, also known as hydrogenated oils, are now understood to be
the most damaging fats of all. Trans fats are rare in nature and only
in small quantities when found. They are very common, though, in
processed vegetable oils and processed foods containing those oils.
They extend the shelf life of products and produce a harder oil out of
otherwise unsaturated oils, maijng them very usefuyl commercially.
However, they are artificial fats and clog human cells, leading to
insulin resistance and possibly diabetes, heart disease, cancer and
more. Thankfully, spinach does not contain
any trans fats.
Carbohydrates: (7.3 gm per full cup)
Sugars - 0.9 gm
- Almost imperceptible and a negligible source of calories
Starches - 0.0 gm
- Given modern nutritinal understanding of the glycemic index,, low
sugars and starches is a distinct benefit for the health of most people.
Fiber / Fibre - 5.1 gm
- Despite its reputation, spinach is not a high fiber vegetable. The
high protein level ensures that the fiber content is only moderate in
comparison to most vegetables. This means that bowel irritations,
flatulence, and so forth are rare or minor with spinach as compared to
most other fruits, vegetables, grains or legumes. The complex
carbohydrates in fiber are indigestible and therefore contribute no
calories to your diet. Nonetheless, fibre still serves valuable health
functions in the human body. There are two types of fiber found in
spinach:
Insoluble Fiber - This is approx. 80%
of spinach's fiber content. Insoluble fibre provides bulk without
calories, giving a full feelijg in the stomach - very beneficial for
weight management. Being indigestible, it passes through your digestive
tracts, cleaning toxins in the process and exercising the bowel muscles
for ongoing regularity, cancer prevention and general digestive health.
Soluble Fiber - This is approx. 20%
of spinach's fiber content. Soluble fiber helps to lower elevated
cholesterol levels and may be helpful in aiding the regulation of blood
sugar levels.
Other advanced complex
carbohydrates - 1.3 gm
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Spinach Words