The water spinach is ranked high among the world’s healthiest foods. It is also known as swamp cabbage or kangkong. It is one of the most popular green leafy vegetables. Water spinach is herbaceous aquatic or semi aquatic perennial plant which can be found in tropical and subtropical regions. There are two varieties of the water spinach – “Pak Quat” which has arrow shaped leaves and pink flowers and “Ching Quat” which has green stem, narrow leaves and white flowers. All parts of the young plant are edible but the tender shoot tips and the younger leaves are mostly preferred. The water spinach is known as “Paani Palak” in India. It is a powerhouse of nutrients which benefit your body as well as brain and skin. Water spinach has abundant quantities of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, water and other nutrients. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Mostly, it is used in salads as well as in other dishes to boost their nutrient content. Also the juice of water spinach is beneficial. Here are some health benefits of water spinach:
Water spinach healing properties
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Water spinach has detoxifying and healing properties which can give you a relief from insect bites or skin itching. You should add salt to water spinach and grind it into powder. You should dab it on the sore spot and wrap it to get immediate relief.
Water spinach treat for skin diseases
You can use the buds of water spinach as poultice to treat skin diseases, such as athletes foot, ringworm, etc. It can help to prevent the skin cancer and it can be used in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Water spinach treat anemia
The young water spinach leaves are rich in iron which is very beneficial for people who suffer from anemia as well as for pregnant women who need iron in their diets. Iron is needed by our bodies for the formation of hemoglobin.
Anti – aging properties
Water spinach is rich in antioxidants which can help to prevent the damage of cells in the body and also it can make the cells more resistant from damage and exposure to the sun. At the same time, it will minimize the wrinkling to a significant extent. You should consume water spinach on regular basis because it can prevent and reverse the aging.
Water spinach boost the body’s immunity
Water spinach is rich in nutrients which is a natural way to boost your immunity. Consume this vegetable on regular basis. Also it can promote development of healthy bones. This property of the water spinach will lead to a healthy body by neutralizing and eliminating toxins.
Beneficial for eyes
Water spinach is rich in lutein, Vitamin A and carotenoids. All of the mentioned nutrients are important for the eye health. It is known that this vegetable can boost the glutathione levels which are also playing an important role in preventing cataracts.
Prevention of cancer
Water spinach has 13 different types of antioxidants which is a perfect food for prevention of cancer. It is known that antioxidants can eliminate free radicals from the body and also it can alter the conditions in which cancer cells multiply and strengthen the natural cell environment. Water spinach can help in the prevention of colorectal, stomach, skin and breast cancers.
Protection against heart diseases
Water spinach is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C and also it has high amounts of beta – carotene. These nutrients are acting as antioxidants which can reduce free radicals in the body and also they can prevent the cholesterol from becoming oxidized. We know that oxidized cholesterol sticks to the blood vessels walls which is causing stroke, heart attacks or blocked arteries. Water spinach has folate which can help to convert a potentially dangerous chemical called homocysteine which high levels can lead to stroke or heart attack. Water spinach has magnesium which can lower the blood pressure and it will provide protection against heart diseases.
Anti – diabetic
There are some studies in which are shown that the regular consumption of water spinach can help to develop resistance against diabetes that is induced by oxidative stress. Also it can be used in the treatment of diabetes in pregnant women.
