Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green vegetable. Eating spinach has been shown to benefit health in several ways, and it contains high amounts of all sorts of powerful nutrients.
Spinach may decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health and help prevent heart disease and cancer.
7 Science Informed Reasons to Include Spinach in Your Dog’s Diet:
- Low Carbohydrates, High Fibre – spinach is low in carbs, but high in insoluble fibre. This type of fibre may have benefits for digestion. (2)
- Nutrient Rich Vegetable – spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It contains high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron and calcium which contribute to healthy skin and bones, normal cellular function and improved immune function.
- Rich Source of Important Plant Compounds – spinach contains many plant compounds that can improve health. These include lutein, kaempferol, nitrates, quercetin and zeaxanthin which are linked to improved eye health and heart health, chronic disease and cancer reduction as well as being anti-inflammatory. (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- Reduces Oxidative Stress – spinach has been shown to reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidants found in spinach may help fight aging and reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes. (11, 12, 13, 14)
- Beneficial to Eye Health – spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for eye health. These compounds may help block or reverse the damage caused by sunlight. (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- Reduction in Cancer Possibility – spinach contains high amounts of antioxidants and other compounds that may suppress the growth of cancer cells. (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- Regulates Blood Pressure – spinach contains high amounts of nitrates, which may help regulate blood pressure levels. This should lead to improved heart health and a reduced risk of heart disease. (7, 28, 29, 30, 31)
