We all remember the old Popeye cartoons, where the titular sailor would crack open a can of spinach to gain his super strength. While the rest of us can only dream of gaining his powers, though, spinach really is something of a superfood. High in all manner of minerals that are essential to stay healthy, spinach is therefore a great food to eat regularly. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at just some of the reasons why spinach is such a superfood- and how it could help you to live a healthier, happier life!

Just what makes spinach a superfood?

As we mentioned above, spinach is rich in a whole host of different nutrients and minerals, including beta-carotene, xanthene, and Vitamin A. All of these are essential for keeping your eyes healthy, so if you eat a lot of spinach in your everyday diet, you could well find that you’re able to keep fading eyesight at bay. What’s more, spinach also helps to reduce any inflammation in the eyes, as well as dryness and itchiness. If you find that you’re regularly struggling with sore eyes, try some spinach, and see if that helps things along!

What’s more, spinach is also rich in potassium, while also being extremely low in sodium. These two facts might seem unconnected, but in fact, they could have an enormous impact on keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. That’s because potassium lowers your blood pressure, whereas sodium raises it. Plenty of people nowadays suffer from high blood pressure because they eat a lot of processed, unhealthy foods. By eating more spinach, though, you can fight back against high blood pressure, and keep your heart healthy.

The benefits don’t end there!

It also turns out that there is some truth in Popeye’s love for spinach. This amazing leaf contains a special antioxidant, known as factor C0-Q10. This plays an essential role in muscle growth, so it really could help you to become a lot stronger. Even if you’re not a budding bodybuilder, though, this antioxidant can still provide big benefits for your health. That’s because your heart is a muscle, and by keeping it strong and healthy, it will be better able to pump blood around your body effectively. You will therefore be less likely top develop cardiovascular problems, which can often strike people in later life. As you can see, then, spinach is extremely beneficial for your heart, so it’s well worth eating regularly if you want to keep your ticker healthy.

Finally, not all the benefits of spinach are physical. In fact, it can also help to keep your brain healthy and active. For instance, spinach is high in folate, which has been proven to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. What’s more, by keeping your heart pumping properly, more blood will reach the brain- helping your concentration and keeping your mind on track, too!

Like nearly all fruits and vegetables, spinach is seasonal. While you can easily pick it up at the supermarket all year long, spinach is in season from March to June. Throughout these months, the nutritional benefits from spinach are much more powerful- so come next month, it’s time to start cooking up a storm, and adding spinach to all your favorite meals!