Look for dark green leaves. The darker the color, the more nutrients.

Due to the fact that Spinach is a green juice, you will find it beneficial to have no more than about ¼ of your juice consisting of green juice.

Spinach is a natural laxative and when consumer in larger amounts, it may be too much of a laxative.

Use Spinach in moderation. Spinach, although a good vegetable from a nutritional point of view, is also rich in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid requires exercise for it to be metabolized. If you get too much oxalic acid, then your body will begin to actually loose nutrients.

For most people, having Spinach juice once or twice a week is enough. For specific dietary advice, consult your medical doctor, nutritionist or naturopath.

Spinach is high in oxalic acid, as mentioned, and therefore should be avoided by those who suffer from or are at risk for kidney stones, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and those whose stomach is easily irritated. Read my notes on oxalic acid for more information.

Since spinach is high in oxalic acid, you should also avoid combining spinach with other vegetables that are high in calcium, such as broccoli. Oxalic acid combines with calcium to create an indigestible compound. You should also avoid eating calcium rich food immediately after eating or juicing spinach or any food high in oxalic acid. This includes foods like tofu.

Popeye's favorite drink isn't necessarily mine. I actually prefer other green leafy vegetables. Spinach has both negative and positive benefits, hence I simply prefer to use vegetables that provide more positives. It's a personal choice though whether you juice Spinach or not.

Properties:

Energy: cool
5 Elements: earth
5 Flavors: sweet

General Information:

Spinach is not actually native to China, but was rather imported into China from southern Asia during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907 AD). Although not native to China, the Chinese do use spinach for its many wonderful benefits. However, all things must be done in balance as we don't want to overload the body with oxalic acid also.

Cautions & Suggestions:

Nothing to report.

Benefits:

Photo by Peggy Greb.