Incorporating this familiar vegetable into your daily diet can help achieve better blood sugar control.
Malabar spinach is a widely cultivated vegetable, popular for its culinary use. According to modern medicine, Malabar spinach is highly nutritious due to its rich content of essential nutrients. These include carbohydrates, polysaccharides, phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, essential amino acids such as glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, asparagine, proline, alanine, and many other necessary minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, pro-vitamin A, vitamins B3, B9 (folic acid), C, and E.
Notably, the selenium content in this vegetable is 30 times higher than in onions, which can enhance immunity and improve blood health. This vegetable is also known as the “longevity vegetable” due to its effectiveness in preventing and treating various health conditions.
Benefits of Malabar Spinach
1. Blood Sugar Reduction
Malabar spinach is one of the vegetables that effectively lowers blood sugar levels, making it very beneficial for diabetic patients. Studies have shown that the high fiber content in this vegetable slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Additionally, the significant amount of vitamin C optimizes pancreatic function, supporting insulin production. Vitamin K also aids in stimulating proteins related to blood sugar control. Moreover, the mucilage present in Malabar spinach contributes to lowering blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of sugar after meals, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar.
Malabar spinach effectively lowers blood sugar.
However, individuals with diabetes should consult with their doctors to ensure safe consumption of this vegetable.
2. Cancer Prevention
Malabar spinach is also known for its antioxidant properties, effectively preventing cancer. This vegetable is rich in carotenoids that neutralize harmful free radicals, making it a good preventive food against cancer. Therefore, regularly consuming Malabar spinach is a healthy habit with numerous health benefits.
3. Blood Enrichment
Malabar spinach leaves are quite high in iron, providing 15% of the recommended daily intake, thus helping to alleviate anemia.
4. Osteoporosis Prevention
Iron and calcium are two essential nutrients for the growth and development of the skeletal system, immune cells, blood, and nerve cells. Malabar spinach contains a high amount of iron and calcium, making it effective in preventing osteoporosis, especially in the elderly.
Incorporating Malabar spinach with other nutritious foods to create delicious dishes is one of the effective solutions to improve joint pain symptoms.
5. Laxative Effect
Not only does it help lower blood sugar, but the mucilage in Malabar spinach also promotes better digestive health by stimulating intestinal motility. Therefore, adding Malabar spinach to your daily diet will have a beneficial laxative effect.
Three Groups of People Who Should Avoid Malabar Spinach
1. Individuals with Kidney Stones
While Malabar spinach is refreshing and good for the body, those with kidney stones should avoid it. This is because it contains high levels of purines, which can lead to the formation of uric acid, increasing the risk of kidney stones. Additionally, the oxalic acids in this vegetable can bind with calcium in the blood, accumulating in the kidneys and contributing to the development of kidney stones.
2. Individuals with Stomach Ulcers
People with stomach ulcers should also limit their intake of Malabar spinach, as its high fiber content may cause discomfort in the stomach when consumed in large amounts.
Malabar spinach leaves are high in iron.
3. Individuals Experiencing Diarrhea
Although Malabar spinach can help with digestion and alleviate constipation, excessive consumption may lead to diarrhea. This is because this vegetable has a cooling property, and eating it while experiencing diarrhea can worsen the condition.
