It has been known that spinach, with its dark green leaves, are an extremely healthy food.    Popularized by the cartoon character, Popeye, spinach is known to have considerable positive health effects. We know that Popeye made himself super strong by eating spinach, but you may be surprised to learn that he may also have been protecting himself against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases at the same time.  
 

      Spinach is rich source of vitamin A, vitamin E and several vital antioxidants, with more than a half-day’s supply of beta carotene found in just a half cup of the vegetable. Spinach is believed to block elevated levels of homocysteine in the bloodstream. Scientists feel that it is the vitamin C, beta carotene and folic acid are the chemicals in spinach and other foods that block homocysteine levels.High homocysteine is associated with cardiovascular disease.

      Spinach works on more than just cardiovascular disease; it also appears to be effective in lowering the risk of several kinds of cancer, including lung cancer. Experts believe that it is the high vitamin K level in spinach that provides its benefits against cancer. You can hardly find a better source of vitamin K than you can in spinach.  

      *But Spinach has more than just these nutritional benefits. It is also an excellent way to get insoluble fiber in your diet. We all know that insoluble fiber is good for the bowels and appears to have a positive effect on the heart, keeping it from being damage.

      *Spinach is also supposed to be useful in combating cataracts. There are research studies showing that those foods that contain a great deal of beta carotene, like spinach, have the ability to slow the growth and prevent cataracts. Other studies show that those with a diet with a lot of spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables in it have much less risk of cataract formation. There is one possible reason behind spinach's effect on cataracts. It contains a great deal of zeaxanthin and lutein—carotenoids that are a lot like beta carotene. Both of these substances are potent antioxidants and are believed to carry the same effect of other antioxidants against cell damage, cancer and aging.  
 *Spinach and related vegetables are felt to reduce the progression of macular degeneration—an eye disease that can cause blindness in many people. It is felt that the antioxidants in spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables are what makes them so good in preventing and halting macular degeneration associated with advanced age.

      *A recent study indicates eating more spinach may lower ovarian cancer risk. The flavonoid kaempferol found in spinach and some cabbages is associated with a 40 percent reduced risk of ovarian cancer (The study was led by Margaret Gates from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston).  
 

      On the other hand, Fresh spinach retains the delicacy of texture and jade green color that is lost when spinach is processed. Raw spinach has a mild, slightly sweet taste that can be refreshing in salads, while its flavor becomes more acidic and robust when it is cooked.