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Spinach and Kidney Stones: Spinach is a very nutritious vegetable and it is very beneficial for health. According to health experts, consuming spinach in limited quantity can provide amazing benefits. However, regular consumption of spinach can cause kidney stone problems. Actually, spinach contains high amount of oxalate. People who already have kidney stones or kidney disease should avoid it.
Can Spinach Trigger Kidney Stones: It is often said that to stay healthy one should eat green leafy vegetables. Spinach comes first among green leafy vegetables. Spinach contains countless nutrients including calcium, iron, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. This is the reason why many people eat spinach regularly. However, this question also arises regarding spinach that consuming it can lead to formation of kidney stones. Many people consider it a fact, while some people call it just a misunderstanding. Now the question is, can eating spinach really cause kidney stones?
Dietician Ranjana Singh of Ranjana Nutriglow Clinic, Ghaziabad, UP told StuffUnknown. Spinach is a very beneficial vegetable, but spinach contains high amount of oxalate. Because of this many people suffer from kidney stone problems. Spinach is not harmful for the kidneys, but it should not be consumed daily. Eating spinach once or twice a week can provide amazing benefits to the body. Not everyone develops kidney stones by eating spinach. In people who already have oxalate sensitivity in their body, drink less water or the balance of calcium and oxalate in the body is disturbed, then this problem can become necessary. This connection is not only with spinach, but also with Bathua and fenugreek.
Such people should not eat spinach
The dietitian said that people suffering from kidney stones or chronic kidney disease should avoid spinach. Not only spinach, but such patients should consume high oxalate foods with caution. In such a situation, excessive consumption of spinach can increase the pressure on the kidneys and increases the risk of stones. Doctors often advise kidney stone patients to limit the intake of oxalate-rich foods like spinach, beetroot, fenugreek, almonds and tea.
What is the best way to eat spinach?
The dietitian said that people often eat spinach raw or make its juice and drink it. However, it should be eaten properly. To reduce the oxalates present in spinach, it should be eaten boiled. By boiling it becomes safer for health. Apart from this, eating spinach with curd or cheese improves the balance of calcium and oxalate and reduces the risk of stone formation. The good thing is that consuming spinach in moderate quantities 1 to 2 times a week is safe for most people.
If you eat spinach, how to avoid stones?
According to experts, if you consume spinach, then drinking enough water is the most effective way to prevent kidney stones. Water removes extra minerals and oxalates from the body. People who do not drink enough water are at greater risk of stones. If your water intake is good and your diet is balanced, then the chances of stone formation from spinach also reduces significantly. Therefore, it is not scientifically correct to blame the parent alone.
