Table of contents:
- Benefits of red spinach for health
- 1. Increase hemoglobin levels
- 2. Control cholesterol and blood sugar
- 3. Rich in antioxidants
- Tips for processing delicious and healthy red spinach
- Inspirational side dish recipes from red spinach
- Before eating spinach ...
- Is it true that this spinach should not be heated?
Indonesian people must be very familiar with green spinach. However, did you know that spinach is also red? Red leaf spinach is not as popular as green one. However, you should not underestimate the various good benefits for the body, you know! Let's take a look at the following reviews about the benefits of red spinach.
Benefits of red spinach for health
Red spinach into varietiesAmaranthus tricolorand has a scientific nameBlitum rubrum.Similar to green spinach, this spinach also offers various health benefits that are no less good.
Some of the benefits of red spinach have been proven by many studies. However, there are also those that need further research to ensure their benefits.
In general, here are the various health benefits of red spinach that you need to know:
1. Increase hemoglobin levels
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein functions to transport oxygen throughout the body, especially the lungs. People with anemia usually do not have sufficient hemoglobin levels in the body. As a result, they tend to feel tired or weak more often.
The good news is that regularly consuming this kind of spinach can help increase hemoglobin levels in the body. This is based on a study published in the e-Biomedical Journal (eBM) in 2014. Drinking red spinach leaf juice is reported to help increase hemoglobin levels in the blood.
Unfortunately, this research was conducted on a small scale and only tested on mice. Therefore, a lot of further research is needed to ensure this one research.
2. Control cholesterol and blood sugar
One of the biggest challenges for diabetic patients is maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Few people with diabetes are negligent in matters of food, so their blood sugar levels can rise and fall drastically.
Fortunately, red spinach is a good food intake for people with diabetes.
Current studies show that red spinach has natural potential as an antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant thanks to the tannins and polyphenols in it. Apart from reducing blood sugar levels, the fiber contained in spinach also helps control cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
This study has not been tested clinically in humans. Much further research is still needed to confirm the benefits of this red spinach for the body.
3. Rich in antioxidants
Research shows that this spinach has a high content of polyphenol antioxidants. It is believed that antioxidant intake in the body can help protect the body from cell damage which can increase the risk of heart disease, blood vessels, and cancer.
However, this one benefit requires further study with a wider scope. Research on the oxidant content in red spinach is limited to laboratory studies.
Tips for processing delicious and healthy red spinach
There is one important thing that you must understand when you want to cook spinach. So that you can feel the benefits of red spinach optimally, you have to be careful when processing it. Avoid using a lot of oil because the texture of this vegetable is similar to a sponge.
This means that spinach can absorb most of the oil. Instead of wanting to be healthy, spinach can actually accumulate calories if you don't process it the right way. So, you should prepare red spinach by boiling, steaming, or sautéing.
In addition, make sure you wash the red spinach first with running water until it is completely clean, huh! This is done so that the remaining soil stuck to the leaves and roots can be lost.
Inspirational side dish recipes from red spinach
Source: Plateful
Here's a recipe for sauteed red spinach that is healthy and delicious:
Materials needed:
- 1 bunch of fresh red spinach leaves
- 1 box of tofu, diced
- 1 medium sweet corn, shaved
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 red curly chilies, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Enough water
How to make:
- Heat the olive oil, then cook the diced chinese tofu until golden brown. After that, remove and drain.
- In the same skillet, saute the garlic and onions until they smell out and are wilted.
- Put the cooked tofu, corn kernels and spinach in the pan.
- Add the salt and paper sufficiently. Stir so that all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Add a little water and cook on low for a few minutes.
- Stir until the spinach is slightly wilted and correct the taste.
- Sauteed spinach is ready to serve.
You can serve this menu with a plate of brown rice to make it healthier.
Before eating spinach …
Basically, red spinach is supported by good nutritional value. However, you can combine red spinach with other vegetables so that your nutritional intake is more diverse.
One thing to remember: Be wise in measuring the portions of spinach you eat. Excessive iron intake from spinach can affect the white blood cells (leukocytes) in the body.
Is it true that this spinach should not be heated?
In fact, it's okay to heat the red spinach. However, make sure you heat it the right way.Do not take it too long and do not heat it to very high temperatures. The goal is that the nutritional content of spinach is not lost when heated.
Yes, many of the nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, in vegetables cannot tolerate heat. As a result, various nutrients can be lost if they are continuously exposed to heat.
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