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15 Benefits of Water Spinach for Skin, Hair, and Health
- 1. Reduces Cholesterol:
- 2. Treatment of Jaundice and Liver Problems:
- 3. Useful in treating Anaemia:
- 4. Treatment of Indigestion and Constipation:
- 5. Anti Diabetic:
- 6. Protection against Heart Diseases:
- 7. Prevention of Cancer:
- 8. Beneficial for Eyes:
- 9. Boosts the Bodys Immunity:
- 10. Other Benefits:
- 11. Anti-ageing Benefits:
- 12. Treatment of skin Diseases:
- 13. Healing Properties:
Health Benefits of Water Spinach
All dark green leafy vegetables are packed with nutrients and water spinach is no exception. The leaves of water spinach are extremely nutritious, containing abundant quantities of vitamins and minerals. They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C which are evidence of its various health benefits given below:
1. Reduces Cholesterol:
It is an excellent option for those individuals who want to lose weight and reduce cholesterol naturally. A research conducted on rats has proved that consumption of water spinach has resulted in the reduction in cholesterol levels as well as Triglycoside. Thus, this vegetable has a major role to play in the reduction of cholesterol level.
2. Treatment of Jaundice and Liver Problems:
Water spinach has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of jaundice and liver problems. A research has proved that the extract of this plant can provide protection against chemical induced liver damage due to its modulation of detoxification enzymes; antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties.
3. Useful in treating Anaemia:
Being rich in iron, the young water spinach leaves are extremely beneficial for people with anaemia as well as pregnant women who require iron in their diets. Iron is an important mineral that is needed by the body, particularly by the red blood cells for the formation of haemoglobin.
4. Treatment of Indigestion and Constipation:
Water spinach is rich in fiber and hence, it aids in digestion, providing relief from different digestive disorders naturally. Its mild laxative properties are beneficial for people suffering from indigestion and constipation. Juice from boiled spinach can loosen constipation. This vegetable is also used in the treatment of intestinal worm infestation. It contains latex which is used as a purgative agent.
5. Anti Diabetic:
Researches have demonstrated that regular consumption of water spinach helps in developing resistance against diabetes induced oxidative stress. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes in pregnant women.
6. Protection against Heart Diseases:
Water spinach has certain essential nutrients like vitamins A and C as well as a high concentration of beta-carotene. These nutrients act as antioxidants to reduce free radicals in the body, thus preventing cholesterol form becoming oxidized. Oxidized cholesterol sticks to the blood vessel walls, causing blocked arteries, heart attack or stroke. Besides, folate contained in water spinach helps to convert a potentially dangerous chemical called homocysteine, which in high levels can lead to heart attack or stroke. Magnesium is a mineral that lowers blood pressure and provides protection against heart disease as well.
7. Prevention of Cancer:
Being loaded with 13 different types of antioxidant compounds, water spinach is a perfect diet for prevention of cancer. These antioxidants are known to eliminate free radicals from the body, thus altering the conditions in which cancer cells multiply and strengthen the natural cell environment. This vegetable is said to be most beneficial in the prevention of colo-rectal and stomach cancers as well as skin and breast cancers.
8. Beneficial for Eyes:
Water spinach has a high content of carotenoids, vitamin A and lutein. These nutrients are vital for eye health. Spinach also boosts glutathione levels, which plays an important role in preventing cataracts.
9. Boosts the Bodys Immunity:
Being a storehouse of nutrients, this leafy green vegetable is an inexpensive and natural way of boosting the bodys immunity in comparison to vitamin C supplements. Consumption of this green leafy vegetable on a regular basis boosts your bodys immune system and promotes healthy development of bones. It also contributes to a healthy body by neutralizing and eliminating toxins.
10. Other Benefits:
In addition to the benefits given above, water spinach is effective in treating ulcers, menstrual pains, toothache, launched urination, nosebleed etc. It acts as a sedative for people who have insomnia or sleeping difficulty. The juice of spinach mixed with water is used as a cold compress to treat fever. Being anti- venom, it is used to promote vomiting in case of poisoning.
11. Anti-ageing Benefits:
Green leafy veggies like water spinach are rich in chemical antioxidants which prevent free radical damage of cells in the body, making the skin cells more resistant from damage from exposure to the sun and minimizing wrinkling to a significant extent. It this way regular consumption of this vegetable can prevent and reverse ageing.
12. Treatment of skin Diseases:
The buds of water spinach can be used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athletes foot etc. This vegetable also helps in the prevention of skin cancer and is used in the treatment of acne, eczema and psoriasis.
13. Healing Properties:
Due to its healing and detoxifying properties, it helps in providing relief in case of skin itching or insect bites. Add salt to water spinach and grind it into powder. Dab it on the sore spot and wrap it for immediate relief.
Skin Benefits of Water Spinach
14. Rejuvenates Skin:
Drinking spinach juice is extremely beneficial for your skin health as it keeps your skin ever rejuvenated by eliminating harmful toxins from the body. Regular consumption of this juice helps in healing skin disorders such as pimples and acne.
The benefits of water spinach for skin have been known for a long time. As stated earlier, this vegetable is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, carotenoids and lutein. These minerals are vital for a healthy and glowing skin. Consuming water spinach in a regular basis helps to maintain radiant and healthy skin.
Hair Benefits of Water Spinach
15. As we all know, proper nutrition is a pre-requisite for maintaining healthy scalp and hair. The wide array of nutrients contained in water spinach is beneficial for your hair. Spinach juice is beneficial for hair growth and prevents hair loss besides improving the quality and texture of your hair.
You can make a drink combining spinach and lettuce juices for getting healthy and lustrous hair. Here is a water spinach recipe that healthy and delicious!
- Wash the spinach and lettuce leaves properly. Alternatively, you can use cabbage leaves in place of lettuce. Slice a lemon and put it in the juicer along with the leaves.
- Grind the leaves in a mixer or a grinder and place the mixture in a muslin sieve to squeeze out the juice.
- You can enhance the flavour of this drink by adding lemon juice or spices. Black pepper is preferable as it is beneficial for your hair besides providing a spicy flavour to the drink.
- You should drink a glass of water spinach juice every day for maximum results.
Water spinach is a water-rich dark green leafy vegetable with a high nutritional profile. Water spinach benefits your health in many ways. Its high antioxidant, dietary fiber, and protein content may help treat several ailments. It may reduce cholesterol levels, help treat jaundice and liver problems, support anemia treatment, aid in digestion, and protect against heart disease. In addition, regular consumption of this leafy veggie may help rejuvenate skin and improve your hair texture. Hence, include this wonderful leafy vegetable in your diet and enjoy its benefits.
Experts Answers For Readers Questions
What is the popular name for water spinach?
Water spinach is also popularly known as kangkong, river spinach, Chinese spinach, swamp morning-glory, and water bindweed.
Can I eat water spinach every day?
Yes, you can eat water spinach every day. It is loaded with many vitamins and minerals that promote overall health.
Is kangkong a medicinal plant?
Yes, kangkong is a medicinal plant. It may have anti-cholesterol and anti- diabetic properties. In Ayurveda, it is known to aid in the treatment of jaundice and liver problems. However, more research is warranted in this regard.