Perhaps the most intriguing news about cancer and spinach is a study at Oregon State University, where researchers traced how a known carcinogen in meat altered microRNAs, influencing cancer stem cell markers in the formation of colon cancer. MicroRNAs are the center of increasing interest in what researchers are calling epigentics, or the study of how factors such as lifestyle, diet, and environmental toxins influence which areas of DNA get silenced or expressed. They are finding that microRNAs affect gene expression for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

The good news is, this study demonstrated that we may be able to reverse the effects of microRNAs by altering our lifestyle, diet, or environment. In this case, consumption of spinach seemed to limit the damaging effects of the carcinogen. It reduced the incidence of colon cancer by almost half, from 58 percent to 32 percent (1).

Another recent study compared the ability of several vegetables to fight aggressive prostate cancer. They tested broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, collard, and kale, among others. Only the spinach gave significant protection.

A recent Japanese study found that the glyconutrients in spinach inhibited the destruction of DNA, cancer cell growth, and tumor growth. The researchers gave mice infected with colon adenocarcinoma the nutrients. After two weeks, the spinach group showed a decrease of 56.1 percent in solid tumor volume. The nutrients also reduced the ability of tumors to access blood to fuel growth (2).

Of course, the antioxidants and fiber in spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables have also been shown to help fight other kinds of cancer. Studies show they could protect against cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. There are many studies that show spinach is effective in fighting ovarian, endometrial, lung, breast, prostate, stomach, and colorectal cancer (3).

Protection from Inflammation

Spinach has long been known to promote good health, so it isn’t surprising that it is one of the more researched foods. What is surprising is that they are still identifying new disease-fighting nutrients in spinach. Researchers have recently discovered that fat-related nutrients called glycoglycerolipids in spinach help protect the lining of the digestive tract from damage related to inflammation. Glycoglycerolipids are in the membranes of light-sensitive organs in most plants, and are necessary for photosysnthesis.

Dementia

Several fruits and vegetables, including spinach, help protect your brain from free radical damage. With its unique combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammation nutrients, spinach is one of the most powerful. A study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago determined that eating three servings of green leafy, yellow, and cruciferous vegetables every day can slow cognitive decline by 40 percent. Green leafy vegetables showed the best results. It is interesting that fruits didn’t produce the same results, even though several fruits have been shown to prevent dementia and cognitive decline. Researchers suggested the difference between fruits and vegetables may be that vegetables are usually eaten with olive oil or other fats, it may enhance the body’s absorption of vitamin E and other oil soluble nutrients (4) (5).

Comment: This makes sense. Read about avocado for a better understanding of how oil helps us absorb oil soluble nutrients. So, when you eat vegetables (or fruit for that matter), try to work a little olive, coconut, or avocado oil into your meal.

Antioxidants

The list of antioxidants in spinach is a long one, but the vitamins, C, A, and E, along with manganese and zinc are anti-oxidizing workhorses. These nutrients provide relief from oxidative stress all over our bodies. One of the most researched is the cardiovascular system and the prevention of blood vessel damage and cholesterol oxidation. The lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids, have been identified as antioxidants that protect the retina and macula of the eye (6).

A single serving of spinach provides many time the Recommended Daily Value of Vitamin K. It also contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium in high amounts. This all adds up to a super bone food. Spinach helps prevent excessive osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone. It also helps anchor calcium molecules inside bone, and it provides the nutrients needed to build new bone cells.