When you’re thirsty, nothing quenches your thirst like a nice, tall, cold glass of freshly squeezed spinach juice. Okay, maybe this sounds like a drink that only Popeye could love. However, if you are jumping on the trendy juicing train, throwing some handfuls of spinach in with your apples, carrots, and other fruits and veggies will pack a powerful nutritional punch that is terrific for your dental health. The concentration of spinach juice prevents periodontal disease and tooth decay. More research will be needed to determine the true long term impact of spinach juice on oral health, but a drinkable, concentrated version of spinach is sure to load your body with plenty of healthy nutrients. Garland, TX dentist, Dr. Vai Mi, encourages patients to eat a healthy diet for their overall health as well as their oral health.
Healthy Spinach
Spinach is considered an alkaline food which means that it neutralizes acid. Not only is this terrific for your overall pH balance, but spinach and other leafy greens flood your body with iron, vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, folate, and protein. Spinach is even high in fiber and at only 40 calories in one cup, you can eat a ton of spinach without worrying about weight gain. A diet that is high in micro-nutrients (also known as a plant-based diet) offers you a better shot at staving off cancer, maintaining heart health, lowering blood pressure, and keeping cholesterol levels healthy. All of these things also relate to your dental health under the umbrella of the oral-systemic condition.
Getting Creative with Spinach
Spinach doesn’t have to be eaten cold with the metallic taint of an aluminum can, Popeye style. Leafy greens are highly versatile in cooking, and spinach is one of the mildest flavored vegetables around. This makes spinach the perfect food to “sneak in” to meals when you have picky eaters in your household. You can combine spinach with low-fat cheese, roll into corn tortillas and smother in spicy sauce for healthier enchiladas. Use spinach in place of lettuce for tacos, or in sandwiches. A big spinach salad with chopped egg and warm bacon dressing is very satisfying to the palate. Perhaps one of the most surprising and healthy ways to enjoy spinach is inside smoothies. When you blend spinach with dark colored fruits such as blueberries, you’ll cover up the off-putting green color. Throw in some flax seeds and a medjool date and you’ll have a sweet and delicious smoothie that’s full of nutrition without any refined ingredients.
ABOUT YOUR GARLAND COSMETIC DENTIST:
Dr. Vi Mai and the caring staff at Mai Dentistry are dedicated to ensuring that our patients are proud of their beautiful, healthy smiles. With years of experience in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, we can expertly diagnose and treat early dental trouble to preserve your natural tooth structure. To learn more, or to schedule your next appointment, call us today at (972) 530-0552.
