What element does spinach contain the most? Does spinach supplement iron?

Spinach is rich in a lot of minerals, vitamins and other important elements such as thiamine and riboflavin. Spinach helps to build a good vision. Beta-carotene, lutein and xanthophyll present in spinach prevent vitamin A deficiency. So, what elements does spinach contain the most? Does spinach supplement iron? Below, let's take a look at the introduction of Encyclopedia Knowledge Network!

Contents of this article

1. What element does spinach contain the most?

2. Does spinach provide iron?

3. Why can’t spinach be eaten at night?

What element is highest in spinach

The iron content of spinach is about 2.5 mg per 100 grams, which is the highest among vegetables. In addition, spinach is rich in carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, minerals, coenzyme Q10 and other nutrients, and is known as a "nutritional model student". The energy of spinach per 100 grams is about 28 kcal.

Spinach has higher protein quality than other vegetables and contains more chlorophyll. The vitamin K in spinach is mostly located in the root, and its vitamin K content is the highest among leafy vegetables.

The fluorine-containing phenol, 6-hydroxymethylpteridine dione and trace elements in spinach can promote human metabolism and are beneficial to health.

Does spinach provide iron?

Eating spinach can supplement a small amount of iron. Spinach is a typical food with a high iron content, but the iron content of spinach that can be absorbed by the human body is very small, and most of it is rejected. Therefore, it is not the case that foods with a high iron content can supplement iron for the human body.

Spinach provides little iron to the human body, and it also contains a relatively high amount of oxalic acid. After consumption, this ingredient, oxalic acid and calcium combine to form insoluble calcium oxalate, which can then form stones.

Therefore, when eating spinach, you need to blanch it before eating, so as to remove most of the oxalic acid.

Why can't you eat spinach at night?

Spinach can be eaten at night, but it is not recommended to eat too much at night. Because we have less time to digest at night, especially after falling asleep, the body's metabolic capacity is relatively weak, and the stomach's digestion capacity is relatively weakened. Eating too much spinach at night or before going to bed can easily lead to indigestion.

Spinach is rich in crude fiber. If you eat too much spinach at night, the rich cellulose may accumulate in the stomach and be difficult to digest, which may easily cause bloating and other symptoms.

Spinach is rich in oxalic acid. If too much oxalic acid is absorbed at night and is not excreted in time, it may react with other calcium and magnesium elements in the body to form stones, which puts a heavy burden on the kidneys.