12/12/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
People who have excess stomach acid can find relief in this leafy green vegetable. A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine found that spinach (Spinacia oleracea), whether in the raw juice form or as an extract in methanol, can be used to neutralize excess stomach acid, which makes it an excellent remedy for heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and stomach upset.
Spinach has been reported to contain powerful medicinal properties due to its numerous antioxidant phytoconstituents. In the study, the researchers, who were from Principal K.M.Kundnani College of Pharmacy in India, compared the antacid effect of raw spinach juice with an antioxidant-rich methanolic extract of spinach in an artificial stomach model.
For the study, the researchers determined the pH of methanolic spinach extract at 50, 100, and 200 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) and its neutralizing effect on gastric acid. They also compared methanolic spinach extract with raw spinach juice, water, the active control sodium bicarbonate, and an antacid drug called ENO.
The researchers used a modified model of Vatier’s artificial stomach to determine the duration of consistent neutralization of artificial gastric acid for the test compounds. They also assessed the neutralizing capacity of spinach and other test compounds.
The results revealed that spinach juice and the methanolic extract of spinach displayed better significant acid-neutralizing effect, consistent duration of neutralization, and higher antacid capacity compared to water. Raw spinach juice exhibited the same effect as the highest concentration of methanolic spinach extract.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that spinach, both in the raw juice form and as an extract in methanol, may be used as a natural way to neutralize or reduce excess stomach acid.
As mentioned earlier, spinach is a great natural antacid. But this is only one of the health benefits of this vegetable. Spinach is considered a superfood. It is packed with many vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall well-being ranging from hair health to cancer prevention. Here are the potential health benefits of spinach:
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, antacid, herbal medicine, Herbs, medicinal plants, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, spinach, spinach extract, spinach juice, stomach acid