Health Benefits of Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a vigorously growing dioecious, erect biennial herb of the family Amaranthaceae. Though the herb is a native of South west Asia, today it is widely cultivated in North America, Europe and Asia. Spinach has a high nutritional value and is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially when fresh, steamed, or quickly boiled. Its leaves are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibres, magnesium, manganese, folate, copper, zinc, niacin, selenium, sodium, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a rich source of vitamins A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. Recently, opioid peptides, called rubicolins have also been found in spinach. Spinach contains 4 times more of beta-carotene and 3 times more of lutein than broccoli.

Spinach is said to be a protective food against Cancer. Consuming spinach in meals is said to inhibit tumor growth and keeps body normal from undergoing mutation. It is also known to be beneficial for those suffering from diabetes. Having half a cup of spinach leaves juice before meals twice daily is helpful in controlling diabetes. Owing to high Vitamin A content, the herb is protective against eye diseases. Anemic patients must consume this herb in diet as spinach is a good source of iron, and thus, prevents anemia. Because iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells, it is also beneficial as energy food.

In conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine headaches and asthma, spinach is helpful in combating the ailments owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Another of the benefits of spinach is that it's good for the heart. In addition, folate is good for a healthy cardiovascular system. Its antioxidant vitamins help reduce free radicals in the body & maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the blood. Magnesium, another mineral found in spinach helps to lower high blood pressure (Hypertension). Spinach has a laxative effect and is wonderful in Weight loss diets. The Kitchen Clinic: Health Benefits of Spinach

Read More........→June 11, 2026

The ‘Miracle Berry’ Helps Chemo Patients Remove Metallic Taste So They Can Enjoy Food Again

A miracle berry plant – credit, Hamale Lyman, released to the public domain

A species of red berry native to Africa and now grown in Florida is helping cancer patients reclaim the ability to enjoy food thanks to the berry’s properties which bear a “miracle” moniker.

“Miracle berry” is known as àgbáyun in its West African home. Scientifically, it’s designated Synsepalum dulcificum, with ‘dulcificum’ referring to its unique ability to turn sour foods sweet.

So iconic and striking is the effect it has on those who consume it, the active ingredient inside the plant’s fruit is a glycoprotein that’s literally called miraculin.

Studies investigating this compound report that at low pH (resulting from ingestion of sour foods) miraculin binds proteins and becomes able to activate the sweet receptors, resulting in the immediate perception of sweet taste.

What does this have to do with cancer? Proper nutrition is important to any cancer battle, but this can often become difficult because of something called “chemo mouth.”

“What patients report with chemotherapy is that they may develop a bothersome taste that could be described as metallic, rotten food,” said Dr. Mike Cusnir, an oncologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center who has led several initial studies into using miracle berries to make food more palatable for chemotherapy patients.

Dr. Cusnir told CBS News Miami that the ‘miracle’ in miracle berries doesn’t have anything to do with cancer, nor any method of preventing the damage chemotherapy does to the body. What it can do is restore one of the great joys of life—eating—to those who’ve lost it to chemotherapy drugs.

Julie Ascen has been battling lymphoma for a year, and told CBS that she considers the miracle berry to be just that: a miracle.

“It is one of those miracles that, if you have this disease, you want to live your life and not have it control you. And this lets it not control me; I can control myself.”

The miraculin glycoprotein removes the chemo mouth sensation for 30-40 minutes, allowing patients to eat a meal and enjoy the flavors again.

Florida, says one miracle berry grower, is the only place in the US where this fruit grows well, as it enjoys the hot and humid conditions of the plant’s native West African forest home.Hardly reserved for cancer patients, miracle berry is typically sold in freeze dried form, as the miraculin degrades quickly after the fruit’s separation from the plant. You can even buy it on Amazon. It makes for a fantastic party trick—eat one, then eat a lemon, and watch as everyone uniformly agrees that it tastes like an orange. The ‘Miracle Berry’ Helps Chemo Patients Remove Metallic Taste So They Can Enjoy Food Again

Read More........→March 18, 2026