Spinach Words

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

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Spinach Nutrients - Part Five
Other Phytonutrients / Phytochemicals

Other Phytonutrients / Phytochemicals in Spinach

"Phyto" is simply a Greek word menaing "plant". Phytonutrients are, therefore, plant nutrients that do not fall into the other categories of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals. Many phytonutrients are oft described as "vitamin-like". Some nutritionists prefer them term "phytochemicals" rather than "phytonutrients", but be assured that the two terms are synonymous.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - Spinach is nature's #1 source of Alpha Lipoic Acid, a potent antioxidant and cancer fighter. It also boosts glutathione levels (see "glutathione" below), helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, helps to prevent heart attacks and cataracts and plays an anti-aging role by preserving (or minimising decline of) mental function in the elderly.

Polyphenols - Polyphenols are a category, or group, of phytonutrients, rather than a specific phytonutrient. While polyphenols are widely studied from a number of other food sources (green tea, apples, nuts, raspberries and others), little research to date has been done specifically on the polyphenols found in spinach, even though it is known to be a medium-to-good source of them. In general terms, though, polyphenols (meaning "many phenols") are known to be powerful:

• anti-allergenic
• anti-oxidants
• anti-inflammatories
• and more.

As such, polyphenols are powerful protectors of cardiovascular health, immune system enhancers, pain relievers, cancer prevention agents and much more.

Carotenoid Antioxidants - Spinach (along wth broccoli) is one of nature's most potent sources of the following two carotenoid antioxidants:

Glutathione - Glutathione is an antioxidant, antitoxin, and enzyme cofactor. It is required by the human body to maintain normal immune system function. Low glutathione levels are known to be associated with conditions such as Parkinson's diseas, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and male infertility.

Co-Enzyme Q10 - Vitamin-like in function, with similarities in function to both Vit. E and Vit. K. Co-enzyme Q10 is mostly found in animal meats and most heavily in certain organ meats. Only two vegetable sources are known - spinach and broccoli. While it is an essential part of cells throughout the human body, it is particularly important for the heart, the nervous system and white blood vessels. Low levels in the areas are known to be common in people with heart diseases, mental illnesses or recurrent infections. Deficiency also results in all-over muscular weakness.

Betaine - A derivative of choline, betaine lowers blood homocysteine levels, and thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chlorophyll - Chlorophyll is best known as the green coloring in plants and for it's role for plants of using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide from the air into carbohydrates within the plant. The darker the green colour, the more chlorophyll a plant contains. Hence, spinach is a very potent source of chlorophyll. (By way of comparison, spinach has 1,000 times the level of chlorophyll per gram than a green olive.) Less commonly known, though, is that chlorophyll has antioxidant properties, helps to cleanse and deodorize the human gastrointestinal system, acts as a mild antibiotic, and recent ongoing research is beginning to indicate that chlorophyll probably has powerful anti-cancer properties. The research as currently understood suggests that a chlorophyll derivative, chlorophyllin, prevents RNA & DNA damage caused by aflatoxins - a type of cancerous fungi often found in grains, soy and peanuts.

Oxalates - Strictly speaking, oxalates are not nutrients. They are antinutrients. It is listed here for the sake of providing honest, objective information on the health impacts of the many constituents of spinach. The level of oxalates found in spinach reduces the bioavailablity of the calcium content of spinach by around 95%. Oxalates bind to calcium, preventing it from being absorbed by the human body. Accordingly, spinach should not be relied upon for calcium intake. Additional calcium food sources are required in the diet. Likewise, oxalates bind to iron, thus at least halving the bioavailability of spinach's iron content. (Spinach's strong iron-power reputation as promoted by the cartoon character, Popeye, is thus grossly overstated.)