Spinach is a common household dish that many people enjoy. Typically, people eat spinach by adding washed spinach directly to a hot pot or in soups. Experts, however, consider this consumption method unscientific. Experts state that among all foods, spinach has the highest content of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can easily bind with calcium in the human body to form insoluble calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate cannot only be absorbed and utilized by the body but also hinders the absorption of calcium. Therefore, the cooking method for spinach is crucial.
While there are many ways to cook spinach, stir-frying it directly or making it into soup are not recommended methods.
Pine Nut and Spinach Rolls
For the general population, to prevent the adverse effects of spinach on the body, such as the formation of kidney stones and interference with calcium absorption, it is best to blanch spinach in boiling water before cooking. After blanching, most of the oxalic acid is released. By discarding the water and removing the spinach, you can then serve it cold as a salad or stir-fry it, which can reduce the detrimental effects of oxalic acid to some extent. Additionally, individuals taking calcium supplements should eat spinach sparingly or avoid it altogether. Spinach contains dietary fiber, which can detoxify and promote bowel movement, thus having a laxative effect. Therefore, it is best not to give spinach to children with diarrhea.
The oxalic acid in spinach is also a major concern for patients with urinary tract stones, as it can potentially worsen their condition. Therefore, if you suffer from urinary tract stones, it is advisable to limit your consumption of spinach.
Pine spinach