Are you a Spinach eater?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 13:13

A new study published in the February issue of Cell Metabolism has found that eating vegetables such as spinach can make muscles more efficient. The researchers gave volunteers small doses of inorganic nitrate for three days and found that they consumed less oxygen when riding an exercise bike. As green vegetables such as spinach contain these nitrates this could provide some explanation for these health benefits.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 13:13

Commenting on the results, study leader Eddie Weitzberg said "We're talking about an amount of nitrate equivalent to what is found in two or three red beets or a plate of spinach. We know that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes but the active nutrients haven't been clear. This shows inorganic nitrate as a candidate to explain those benefits."

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 13:14

Curiously, until recently nitrate wasn't thought to have any nutritional value at all. It has even been suggested that this component of vegetables might be toxic. But the study team had previously found that dietary nitrate feeds into a pathway that produces nitric oxide with the help of friendly bacteria found in our mouths. Nitric oxide has been known for two decades as a physiologically important molecule. It opens up our blood vessels to lower blood pressure, for instance.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 13:14

Although these results show a short term benefit, more work is needed to understand the longer term effect of increased inorganic nitrate consumption. It will also be interesting to see if these benefits are seen in people suffering from conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.



Although the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables are well known and not in dispute, the actual mechanism for this health boost are unclear. The study provides an indication of how this might work.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 13:15

Because the benefit of consuming inorganic nitrates is linked to its interaction with bacteria in the mouth, using strong mouthwash to soon after eating greens will negate the effect. According to Weitzberg "you could block the effects of inorganic nitrate if you use a strong mouthwash or spit [instead of swallowing your saliva]. In our view, strong mouthwashes are not good if you want this system to work."

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 14:17

Thanks for the tip. I will be having spinach with my pork chop tonight and will make sure I don't spit afterwards

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 17:24

) ) )

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 17:47

I am having spinach tonight so I won't use my mouthwash immediately after I have eaten!



And I hate spinach but I keep getting told it is good for me, you have just proved it.

skybluesam


Joined: 24/12/2008
Posts: 447

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 17:54

Why Did you think Popeye ate it

PaulW



Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 651

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 17:54

Bill, I take it you have been on the spinach which has aided your recovery, I knew you reminded me of someone, now who is it?

















Oh yes Olive Oil

Paul

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 18:44

Hiya Paul andBill, I locve spinach, Paul Olive Oil os good for you also, look at popeye xxx

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 20:18

I hardly dare ask which muscle it makes more efficient !

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 20:31

Pat. It probably affects people differently. For example look at Pauls post (number 10), it's obviously affected his brain. )

PaulW



Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 651

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 20:36

Bill, it affects peoe differently, is "peoe" one of popeyes lesser known friends

Glad your feeling better

Paul

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 20:45

Paul, I don't know what you mean? ;)

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 21:34

Hmm



Judicious editing of own posts I suspect!





Harold

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 22:46

ive eaten it every day for the past 30yrs i can pop the cans open like popeye now ,

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/02/2011 23:57

Well done Rowlo. )

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
03/02/2011 00:25

I'll put you all out of your miseries!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCzZDzP2K5I



Richard

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
03/02/2011 00:57

one of our favourite customers used to buy spinach every week, when it was in season. I had to ask her why she found it so appetising, as the sight of it made me feel icky.

She explained that she washed it thoroughly, then put it in a saucepan, and steamed it in it's own juice,and then chopped it. She then put it in a casserole lid, spread it with grated cheese and grilled it until the cheese was nice and brown. I tried her recipe, and to be honest, I could eat this every day, it's just yummy. The added bonus is it's good for you, and very few calories. Use veggi cheese, even less calories.

Affiet ollson.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
03/02/2011 07:13

I hate spinach but am trying to eat it purely for the health benefits.



How does everyone cook it, preferably in a healthy way and to help disguise the taste of it?

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
03/02/2011 09:49

Just wash thoroughly remove damaged leaves and stalks, roughly chop if leaves are large. Put into saucepan and cook for a minute or so till wilted. You do not need to add water! There is enough water in spinach to cook itself. You can make a "cheats" creamed spinach by adding a "cup a soup" my favourite is the low calorie broccoli one.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
03/02/2011 10:40

Scooby , i use it in Curry , after cooking the curry just throw the fresh leaves in they will ilt down in the heat no need for further cooking , but i do stick it in anything , no flavour as such to it

Simbas

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
04/02/2011 15:22

Thank you for the ideas.



Why is the stuff you hate most, in my case spinach, broccoli and cabbage, so good for you????

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
04/02/2011 19:13

I love broccoli.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
05/02/2011 08:34

Good for you No1, I wish I did then I wouldn't be looking for info on a vegetable juicer on another thread and life would be so much easier for me!