6 things to keep in mind when eating Malabar spinach.

According to an article on the Vinmec Hospital website, the potential harm from eating Malabar spinach depends on how it's consumed, the amount eaten, how it's selected, and how it's stored. Therefore, when consuming Malabar spinach, it's important to note the following to avoid harming your body.

The potential harm of eating Malabar spinach depends on various factors. (Illustrative image)

Things to note when eating Malabar spinach.

Harmful effects on people with kidney stones

Spinach contains a lot of purines, which are converted into uric acid after consumption, increasing the risk of developing kidney stones. Therefore, it can be harmful for people with kidney stones to eat it.

Harmful effects on people who have recently had their teeth cleaned (scaling).

Spinach can easily cause plaque buildup on teeth, so people who have recently had their teeth cleaned should avoid eating spinach for the first 1-2 weeks.

People with stomach pain, diarrhea, or loose stools.

The high fiber content in spinach can cause stomach discomfort if consumed in large quantities. Furthermore, people with diarrhea or loose stools should avoid it, as spinach is considered "cold" in nature and consuming it may worsen symptoms.

Vegetables sprayed with growth hormones.

Safe spinach typically has a slightly yellowish-green color, short and thick leaves, balanced growth, and a crisp, firm stem. Spinach treated with growth hormones, on the other hand, will be bright green, dark green, and glossy. Consuming spinach treated with these chemicals can negatively impact human health.

You shouldn't eat spinach with beef.

Eating spinach with beef can diminish its laxative properties and impair digestion, especially for those with constipation, which can worsen the condition. Therefore, it's best to eat spinach with foods rich in vitamin C.

Eat spinach raw or after it has been left overnight.

Eating raw Malabar spinach can cause bloating and indigestion. Furthermore, leaving it overnight will cause the nitrates in the greens to convert into nitrites, which are carcinogenic substances. Therefore, you should avoid eating raw Malabar spinach or leaving it overnight to protect the health of your family.

Overview of Malabar spinach

Malabar spinach comes in two varieties: white and purple, however, the purple variety is considered superior. It is a climbing plant with flowers, succulent stems, dark green or purple on the outside, and a mucilaginous interior. The leaves are thick and green. The flowers grow alternately in the leaf axils, are white or purplish-red, and the fruit is spherical, juicy. The roots are fibrous and grow deep into the soil.

Malabar spinach is widely cultivated everywhere for food and medicinal purposes. The entire Malabar spinach plant can be used to treat various ailments in traditional medicine.

Spinach contains substances such as vitamins C, A, PP, B1, B2, pectin, saponin, polysaccharide; starch, protein and fat, calcium, iron, water and folate, all of which are very good for the human body and are rich in nutrients.

People can use spinach in their daily meals or as a medicinal herb; however, it should not be overused to ensure health safety.

AN BINH (Compiled)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/6-luu-y-when-eating-garlic-spinach-ar873381.html