Health Benefits of Water Spinach
All dark green leafy vegetables are packed with nutrients and water spinach is no exception. The leaves of water spinach are extremely nutritious, containing abundant quantities of vitamins and minerals. They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C which are evidence of its various health benefits given below:
1. Reduces Cholesterol:
It is an excellent option for those individuals who want to lose weight and reduce cholesterol naturally. Research conducted on rats has proved that consumption of water spinach has resulted in a reduction in cholesterol levels as well as Triglycoside. Thus, this vegetable has a major role to play in the reduction of cholesterol levels.
2. Treatment of Jaundice and Liver Problems:
Water spinach has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of jaundice and liver problems. Research has proved that the extract of this plant can provide protection against chemical-induced liver damage due to its modulation of detoxification enzymes; antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties.
3. Useful in treating Anaemia:
Being rich in iron, the young water spinach leaves are extremely beneficial for people with anemia and pregnant women who require iron in their diets. Iron is an important mineral that is needed by the body, particularly by the red blood cells, to form hemoglobin.
4. Treatment of Indigestion and Constipation:
Water spinach is rich in fiber and hence, it aids in digestion, providing relief from different digestive disorders naturally. Its mild laxative properties are beneficial for people suffering from indigestion and constipation. Juice from boiled spinach can loosen constipation. This vegetable is also used in the treatment of intestinal worm infestation. It contains latex which is used as a purgative agent.
5. Anti Diabetic:
Research has demonstrated that regular consumption of water spinach helps in developing resistance against diabetes-induced oxidative stress. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes in pregnant women.
6. Protection against Heart Diseases:
Water spinach has certain essential nutrients like vitamins A and C as well as a high concentration of beta-carotene. These nutrients act as antioxidants to reduce free radicals in the body, thus preventing cholesterol from becoming oxidized. Oxidized cholesterol sticks to the blood vessel walls, causing blocked arteries, heart attack, or stroke. Besides, folate contained in water spinach helps to convert a potentially dangerous chemical called homocysteine, which in high levels can lead to heart attack or stroke. Magnesium is a mineral that lowers blood pressure and provides protection against heart disease as well.
7. Prevention of Cancer:
Being loaded with 13 different types of antioxidant compounds, water spinach is a perfect diet for cancer prevention. These antioxidants are known to eliminate free radicals from the body, thus altering the conditions in which cancer cells multiply and strengthening the natural cell environment. This vegetable is said to be most beneficial in preventing colorectal and stomach cancers and skin and breast cancers.
8. Beneficial for Eyes:
Water spinach has a high content of carotenoids, vitamin A and lutein. These nutrients are vital for eye health. Spinach also boosts glutathione levels, which plays an important role in preventing cataracts.
9. Boosts the Body’s Immunity:
Being a storehouse of nutrients, this leafy green vegetable is an inexpensive and natural way of boosting the body’s immunity in comparison to vitamin C supplements. Consumption of this green leafy vegetable on a regular basis boosts your body’s immune system and promotes the healthy development of bones. It also contributes to a healthy body by neutralizing and eliminating toxins.
10. Other Benefits:
In addition to the benefits given above, water spinach is effective in treating ulcers, menstrual pains, toothache, launched urination, nosebleed, etc. It acts as a sedative for people who have insomnia or sleeping difficulty. Selenium and Zinc in it help the nerves to relax, which helps in sound sleep. The juice of spinach mixed with water is used as a cold compress to treat fever. Being anti-venom, it is used to promote vomiting in case of poisoning.
11. Healing Properties:
Green leafy veggies like water spinach are rich in chemical antioxidants which prevent free radical damage of cells in the body, making the skin cells more resistant from damage from exposure to the sun and minimizing wrinkling to a significant extent. It this way regular consumption of this vegetable can prevent and reverse ageing.
Skin Benefits of Water Spinach
12. Rejuvenates Skin:
The buds of water spinach can be used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athletes foot etc. This vegetable also helps in the prevention of skin cancer and is used in the treatment of acne, eczema and psoriasis.
13. Anti-aging Benefits:
Green leafy veggies like water spinach are rich in chemical antioxidants which prevent free radical damage to cells in the body, making the skin cells more resistant to damage from exposure to the sun and minimizing wrinkling to a significant extent. In this way, regular consumption of this vegetable can prevent and reverse aging.
14. Treatment of Skin Diseases:
The buds of water spinach can be used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, etc. This vegetable also helps in the prevention of skin cancer and is used in the treatment of acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The benefits of water spinach for the skin have been known for a long time. As stated earlier, this vegetable is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, carotenoids, and lutein. These minerals are vital for healthy and glowing skin. Consuming water spinach on a regular basis helps to maintain radiant and healthy skin.
Hair Benefits of Water Spinach
- As we all know, proper nutrition is a prerequisite for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair. The wide array of nutrients contained in water spinach is beneficial for your hair. Spinach juice is beneficial for hair growth and prevents hair loss besides improving the quality and texture of your hair. Water spinach can be added to curries, salads, and smoothies. You can make a drink combining spinach and lettuce juices for getting healthy and lustrous hair. Here is a water spinach recipe that healthy and delicious!
Wash the spinach and lettuce leaves properly. Alternatively, you can use cabbage leaves in place of lettuce. Slice a lemon and put it in the juicer along with the leaves. Grind the leaves in a mixer or a grinder and place the mixture in a muslin sieve to squeeze out the juice. You can enhance the flavour of this drink by adding lemon juice or spices. Black pepper is preferable as it is beneficial for your hair besides providing a spicy flavour to the drink. You should drink a glass of water spinach juice every day for maximum results.
Image source: 1 Take a look at the infographic below to discover all the health benefits of eating this crunchy, delicious green vegetable. What is the popular name for water spinach? Water spinach is also popularly known as kangkong, river spinach, Chinese spinach, swamp morning-glory, and water bindweed. Can I eat water spinach every day? Yes, you can eat water spinach every day. It is loaded with many vitamins and minerals that promote overall health. Is kangkong a medicinal plant? Yes, kangkong is a medicinal plant. It may have anti-cholesterol and anti-diabetic properties. In Ayurveda, it is known to aid in the treatment of jaundice and liver problems. However, more research is warranted in this regard. Is water spinach better than spinach? Water spinach and spinach have fairly comparable nutrients. Water spinach contains marginally fewer calories and less fat than spinach, whereas spinach contains marginally more proteins and fiber than water spinach. In terms of mineral content, spinach has more calcium, potassium, and iron than water spinach (1), (2). What does Chinese water spinach taste like? Chinese water spinach has a mildly bitter taste (when eaten raw) and a texture similar to romaine lettuce. Is water spinach high in uric acid? Water spinach contains moderate quantities of purine (which gets converted into uric acid in the body), like many other green vegetables. However, blanching it before cooking can significantly reduce purine levels.
