Health Benefits of Palak (Spinach) That Will Make You Want to Eat It Every Day

Hari Sabhjiya (Green Vegetables) takes a special place in every Indian home. Everyone always suggests you eat leafy vegetables, be it your mother or doctor. We see mothers trying to coax those small, reluctant kids to eat those greens.

Mothers would always think of innovative ways so that their family gets the share of nutrients found in green vegetables. But one green veggie is everyone’s favourite and hardly needs persuasion.

We are talking about the wonder veggie- spinach aka palak. Spinach is one of the best superfoods on the planet, available throughout the year and easily accessible to everyone.

Palak is a plant that generally prefers cool weather and rich, moist soil. People grow spinach to eat its leaves, which are smooth, wrinkled, and roughly triangular. You can eat it raw or cooked and enjoy various flavours. A fresh palak will taste different than the stored one.

Nutritional Profile of Spinach

You will definitely have many reasons to eat palak right away as it bursts with several nutrients, minerals, and proteins essential to keep you fit and fabulous.

Avoid extra calories by making healthy food choices, and palak will never fail to impress you. The below table provides the per 100 grams (g) of palak nutrition profile ^[1]:

What are the Health Benefits of Spinach?

Since childhood, continuous insisting by our elders has made this clear that palak bursts with minerals and vitamins that greatly benefit our body, health, and beauty.

But do you know what these benefits are? Let us have a look at them.

1. Palak for Digestion

For people with digestive problems, spinach is a miracle food. Due to its high fibre content, spinach makes for a perfectly balanced diet. It gives you the “Happy Tummy Feel,” aids in preventing constipation, and supports a healthy digestive system ^[3].

By speeding up your metabolism, the fibre in spinach assists you with digestive problems by giving your stool volume. In addition to keeping bowel movement smooth, the presence of insoluble fibres improves insulin sensitivity.

See the magic happen by routinely consuming palak juice to flush toxins from the intestines.

You can also consume Aashirvaad atta to improve your fiber intake. AASHIRVAAD Sugar Release Control Atta is a unique “Special Grain Blend” made of whole wheat flour, pulse, and legume flours; it is rich in protein, fibre, and has a low glycemic index. It controls sugar level by gently releasing sugar into the bloodstream.

2. Palak for Anti-Aging

Regular spinach consumption can help you delay the appearance of wrinkles and other age-related withering signs. Palak contains antioxidants, vitamin K, and other minerals essential for developing new skin cells ^[2].

You can apply it to your face as a mask for beauty. Use fresh baby palak leaves to make a paste and apply it for a few minutes. It is a potent cure for removing damaged skin cells and gives you a fabulous and confident feel.

3. Spinach for Immunity

The ability of these green leaves to fight infections earns them a spot on the list of immunity boosters. It contains potent minerals and antioxidants that protect your body from bad bacteria ^[4].

Thus, gorge yourself on this miraculous food to boost your energy and vigour.

4. Spinach for Sun Tan

Give your skin a supple feel with palak, as it has vitamin B that works like magic to help you to get rid of skin tan.

Consuming spinach juice can help you keep safe from the sun’s damaging rays. You can also apply spinach extracts to your face and leave them on briefly. Wash it off with regular water once it has dried.

5. Palak for Better Sleep

This miracle veggie contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Its minerals help the body produce melatonin which helps regulate the sleep cycle and pattern.

Try some palak recipes for your dinner and you will sleep in no time.

6. Palak for Rejuvenated Skin

Use palak to give your skin the nutrients it needs to glow. You can blend some spinach leaves with water and make a face pack. Leave it for 20-25 minutes, and wash it off to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.

Mixing it with beetroot, cucumber, and carrot juice, you can also consume it as juice.

7. Palak for Bone Health

These wonder green leaves contain Vitamin K, which our body needs for maintaining robust bone health ^[5]. So, make sure that you include spinach in your diet.

8. Palak Boosts Energy

If you frequently feel exhausted, you lack an essential nutrient called iron. The best option for providing your body with fuel is spinach, a great iron provider. It is vital to increase your level of energy throughout the day.

Simply eat it cooked or as a salad, and you won’t ever feel your energy level drop.

9. Palak for Hair Growth

Another great reason to eat palak is bright, luscious hair. The iron in the leafy vegetable looks after your hair’s health and ensures that plenty of oxygen-rich blood gets to the hair follicles.

It strengthens the strands and encourages hair growth. You may combine spinach, honey, and olive oil to create a hair pack. Combine them and spread the paste for at least 30 minutes.

Rinse it thoroughly. Later, you might or might not use shampoo.

10. Spinach for Weight Loss

What great reason can you get to eat those leaves? You need not worry about the calorie counts when enjoying the palak as it helps to lose that extra flab. It is the go-to food for losing weight naturally and healthily.

The green membranes of spinach contain antioxidants, vitamins, and other compounds that make you feel full for a longer. So eat meals that include spinach to achieve that much-desired thin body.

Ways to Eat More Palak

No doubt spinach is part of your diet, but consuming it frequently can help you reap its benefits.

Whether you’re trying to get your kids to eat more spinach or just want to spice up your eating habits, here are seven ways to sneak extra spinach into your meals.

#1 Fill a Smoothie with Fresh Spinach

Add a few fresh palak leaves the next time you make a smoothie at home with fresh fruit. Although it will offer more nutrients, the spinach will not change the smoothie’s flavour.

Smoothies are also a terrific way to include trace amounts of nutritious veggies like beetroots or carrots.

#2 Add it to a Side of Rice or Pasta

Palak is quite versatile. You can use it to make an excellent side dish to eat with rice or pasta. During the last few minutes of cooking, stir in some fresh spinach.

It’s a simple technique to guarantee that your family consumes more greens.

#3 Go for Spinach Chips as a Snack

This recipe for oven-baked spinach chips is a healthy substitute.  Bake fresh baby spinach in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes at 325 degrees after tossing it with olive oil, garlic powder, and sea salt.

#4 Make Spinach Muffins

Having a hard time persuading your kids to consume more spinach? Dish up some spinach-filled green muffins! Toast it in between bread to create a delightful treat.

You can also experiment with it by adding chock full of nutritious grains, banana, and a lovely cinnamon flavour that people of all ages will adore.

#5 Add Palak to your Omelettes

Eggs and spinach go together perfectly, so using spinach in your omelets is a delicious way to include this nutritious vegetable in your morning meal.

Never fear if you don’t have any fresh spinach on hand! Frozen palak is an additional option for your homemade omelets.

#6 Eat it on Pizza

When you eat cheat food like pizza, add spinach as a pizza topping when you cook it at home.

Spinach goes well with tomato sauce and cheese, and adding spinach is a simple method to improve a fatty dish’s nutritional value.

Long Story Short, a steaming bowl of flavourful palak paneer or palak paratha will satisfy your appetite and ensure your health benefits.

There are several benefits that humble spinach may provide for you, like improved digestive health, youthful skin, and superb bone health. Make spinach a regular part of your diet for all its health and aesthetic benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions