Spinach Side Effects

Spinach side effects  are rare, however, what can be beneficial for some people, for others it can have certain side effects. Furthermore,  spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables that we can include in our diet as a staple food.

It is packed with nutrients and offers a number of health and medicinal benefits. But, excessive intake of this plant can be dangerous for us as it has some Side Effects as well. So, check out  The 10 Spinach Side Effects:

Poor Absorption of Minerals:  Excessive consumption of  spinach  can interfere with our body’s ability to absorb minerals. The plant contains a large amount of oxalic acid, which is known to bind with various mineral compounds like Calcium , Magnesium , Zinc , etc.

Because of this, our body doesn’t get enough of these elements to absorb. It can hamper the normal functionality of our system and lead to various diseases related to mineral deficiency.

Stomach Disorders:  Spinach  is a rich source ofdietary fiber . Eating a cup of cooked  spinach holds almost 6 grams of this nutrient. Even though fiber consumptionis good for healthy digestion , our body needs time to get used to it.

This is why  spinach can cause a number of Stomach upsets such as gas formation in the abdomen, bloating, cramping and even constipation when eaten in excess. To avoid this situation, try to include it in your diet slowly.

Diarrhea:  In the worst case of gastrointestinal discomfort caused by  spinach , you may have diarrhea , of mild to moderate intensity. It is mainly reported when you eat excessive amounts of high fiber foods.

Therefore, if you continue to consume spinach excessively along with other food items that are high in fiber , you may end up developing a loose motion along with fever and abdominal pain.

Anemia:  Spinach  can sometimes make it difficult for your body to absorb the necessary amount of iron from the food you eat.

Kidney Stones:  Spinach  contains a lot of purines. It is a certain group of organic compounds that, when ingested in excessive amounts, are converted into uric acid. It is extremely bad for our kidney health as the excessive presence of uric acid can increase calcium precipitation  in our kidneys.

As a result, we developed small to medium-sized Kidney Stones .  Spinach ‘s oxalic acid content is also responsible for this as it combines with calcium from foods and forms a precipitation of calcium oxalate .

Gout:  As stated earlier, spinach is rich in purines, which are metabolized within our body and eventually increases the amount of uric acid. So, if you are prone to diseases like gouty arthritis, you should put an end to excessive  spinach intake . Otherwise, you will end up developing severe joint pain, inflammation, and swelling.

Teeth Cohesion:  It is one of the common side effects of eating  spinach excessively. Oxalic acid, present in the leaves of the plant, forms small crystals, which do not dissolve in water. Consequently, you may find your teeth in rough condition after consuming it. However, this feeling is temporary and you can get rid of it easily by brushing your teeth regularly.

Allergic Reactions:  Although rare,  spinach can sometimes cause allergic reactions. The vegetable contains histamine, which can cause some minor pseudoallergic effects.

Toxic Reactions:  It has been reported that some whole  spinach leavescan cause toxic reactions too. When contaminated with Escherichia coli or E. coli through organic fertilizers, pesticides or irrigation water, the leafy vegetable can cause certain food diseases like poisoning, which can even result in death.

Anticoagulation Changes:  Make sure not to consume  Spinach while taking the anticoagulant known as warfarin. It contains a high level of Vitamin K , which can react with the drug and hinder its hepatic synthesis, significantly affecting certain clotting factors.