Spinach does give you superpowers ! See what I found on the net .
Recently a critical discovery about how bacteria feed on an unusual sugar molecule found in leafy green vegetables could hold the key to explaining how ‘good’ bacteria protect our gut and promote health. Researchers from Melbourne and the UK identified a previously unknown enzyme used by bacteria, fungi and other organisms to feed on the unusual but abundant sugar sulfoquinovose — SQ for short — found in green vegetables. Each year, leafy green vegetables — such as spinach — produce the sugar on an enormous scale globally, comparable to the world’s total annual iron ore production. Bacteria in the gut, such as crucial protective strains of E. coli, use SQ as a source of energy. E. coli provides a protective barrier that prevents growth and colonisation by bad bacteria, because the good bugs are taking up all the habitable real estate,” Dr Goddard-Borger said.”E. coli is a key bacterial coloniser needed by our gut. We speculate that consumption of this specific molecule within leafy greens will prove to be an important factor in improving and maintaining healthy gut bacteria and good digestive health.”
A few years ago a talk by an endocrinologist from Amrita Hospital told us how the traditional Indian Ayurveda practices had applied the principles of good gut bacteria a few centuries ago. Practices such as imbibing herbal medicines , of drinking butter milk after every meal and vegetarian dietary habits with high amount of leaves was how our ancestors were able to lead healthy lives. Gut bacteria had a role to play in our Metabolism, our immunity to cancer, diabetes and even our neurological state!
A survey by WHO says the average Keralite consumes 8gm of green leafy vegetables daily whereas the required is 40gm daily. The onslaught of cancer and sedentary diseases in our state is a direct result of this low consumption. And we all know why. None of us actually farm and to buy green leafy vegetables that might have high pesticide content is not a very healthy option.
This is why we came up with VertiGrove , thirty plus plants consisting of spinach, palak, amarthus , in 4 square feet in your balcony will help provide the magical superpowers we all need to live healthy ! And just in case you don’t know what do with it, try these recipes.