Spinach… here I come!!!
[This article is a translation from the entry by AkuInginHijau]
Some of us may have watched Popeye who became very strong after he finished his canned spinach. Well, indeed, spinach is good for you, especially for your blood, and it could prevent anemia, hence you feel less fatigue. Yet, you still need to know more about spinach (besides its taste):
1. Spinach contains Iron (Ferro or Fe2+)
If spinach is oxidised (exposed to oxygen) for too long, Fe2+ (Ferro) would be oxidised to Fe3+ (Ferri). Even though they both contain Fe, but the one that is beneficial to us is the former one (ie Fe2+), whereas Fe3+ is toxic. In fact, the oxidation is catalysed by heat/temperature. Therefore, leftover cooked spinach (either stir fried or cooked in soup) should not be reheated. So, remeber to cook as much as you could finish at one go (don’t cook too much).
2. Cook spinach in less than 5 hours
Spinach also contains Nitrate (NO3). When it is oxidised, it would become nitrite (NO2). Nitrite is colorless, odorless, and toxic to human. Fresh spinach which is just picked off the earth contains around 5 mg/kg of nitrite. If it’s stored in the fridge for 2 weeks, the figure climbs to 300 mg/kg. In other words, 1 day of storage increases the concentration of nitrite by 21 mg/kg (7%).
The toxic effect caused by nitrite comes from oxidation of nitrite with iron in our red blood cells (ie in Hb — haemaglobin). The chemical reaction between them forms Methemoglobin (MetHb), which causes Hb incapable of binding with Oxygen. If the amount of MetHb exceeds 15% of total Hb, it could cause Cyanosis, which is a condition where the cells in our body are lack of oxygen.
3. Iron in spinach could react with Aluminium and produces toxins, therefore avoid cooking spinach in Al-coated pans
BUT, spinach, Popeye’s favorite food, is very HEALTHY. Its leaves are rich in nutrients, such as iron which is needed by our body to help production of red blood cells. Also, it could prevent us from symptoms of anaemia, such as being fatigue/lethargic.
Further, it is good for our kidney and digestive organs, due to its high content of fibre which could help constipation.
Another good side of it is, it could help decrease blood cholesterol, blood sugar, improve blood circulation, and decrease blood pressure. Spinach is good for prevention of colon cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, hair loss, cataract, and night blindness.
However, it is not recommended for people who have uric acid and arthritic problems, since it contains a lot purine, which is converted into uric acid in our body. This could deteriorate the conditions by pains in joints of hands and legs.
Well, I hope the information could make you a wise eater…. and hopefully, like Popeye, you could win the heart of your beloved 
