It can be said that between the two vegetables, spinach is said to be healthier than broccoli as it has high water content, a lesser amount of sugars and is richer in protein, magnesium, Vitamin E, manganese and potassium as compared to broccoli.
Kale is also high in protein, and gives you slightly more of the macronutrient than broccoli. Broccoli is a good source of B vitamins and potassium. It also contains similar vitamins and minerals to kale such as vitamins A, K and iron. Compared to kale, broccoli is slightly higher in fiber and carbs.
Leafy Greens
As per kale, cooked leafy greens like spinach, collards and chard (silverbeet) can sub in beautifully when using broccoli as a side.
Of all the different types of greens, Palinski-Wade says spinach is the most nutritious. A run-down of the major nutrients it's high in: iron, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin E.
Lemons. Lemons have been widely regarded in the health industry as the world's healthiest food. The sour fruit is an alkalising powerfood; they have strong anti-inflammatory qualities and can even help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Spinach. The leafy green is packed with nutrients, but you'll absorb more calcium and iron if you eat it cooked. The reason: Spinach is loaded with oxalic acid, which blocks the absorption of iron and calcium but breaks down under high temperatures.
On the other hand, kale crushes spinach when it comes to vitamins K and C, plus it's also lower in calories and richer in heart-healthy flavonoids. These flavonoids are packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. “Truly, you can't go wrong with either choice,” she says.
Greens are also low in calories, but high in nutrients and volume, which can be helpful if you're trying to manage your weight," Moore points out. Some of the most nutritious greens include spinach, kale, romaine, watercress, and arugula (see "Salad greens by the numbers").
Broccolini has slightly more phosphorus, manganese and calcium than broccoli – all vital for bone health. But it really wins out in the vitamin A stakes, providing almost four times more than broccoli.
Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, and Swiss chard are packed with nutrients that decrease inflammation, enhance immune function, and improve wound healing, making them the perfect choice to promote recovery.
Citrus fruits and berries may be especially powerful for preventing disease. A 2014 study ranked “powerhouse” fruit and vegetables by high nutrient density and low calories. Lemons came out top of the list, followed by strawberry, orange, lime, and pink and red grapefruit.
EWG's Clean Fifteen for 2022
Avocados and sweet corn were the cleanest produce – less than 2 percent of samples showed any detectable pesticides. Just under 5 percent of Clean Fifteen fruit and vegetable samples had residues of two or more pesticides.
Spinach is a green leafy vegetable that we all know to be really healthy, due to the presence of high levels of antioxidants in it. However, the best way to eat spinach is not after blanching or boiling it, but rather adding it to your smoothies or juicing it, says a new study.
But spinach has consistently retained its top rank as the superfood to beat all others because it is so dense in nutrients and healthy compounds. Eating spinach daily is linked to lower risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer, three of our nation's greatest chronic diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Spinach is a great source of nutrients that reduce inflammation and make it faster for your body to recover. In addition to Vitamin E, the greens are a great source of anti-inflammatory compounds, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
The best way to preserve fresh spinach is to keep it dry. For this reason, it's best to not wash your spinach until you are ready to use it. However, if you plan to put it in a salad and want it completely dry in advance, it's okay to wash it a day early.
Did you know that raw spinach contains oxalic acid, an organic substance that can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and iron? Oxalic acid binds with calcium, making it unavailable for use by our bodies.
Spinach and Tofu
However, it turns out that spinach contains oxalic acid which binds with calcium in tofu and makes it indigestible for our stomach. When I mean indigestible, I mean they form kidney stones, and you do not want that to happen.
Including lean protein, vegetables, and nuts in the diet every day can help people stay healthy and prevent certain chronic conditions.
For most people it is perfectly OK to eat spinach every day. Keep reading for what can happen if you eat too much spinach or have specific health conditions such as kidney disease or are on blood thinners.