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Spinach is heating in the digestive tract and drying. It is unusual because very few foods are both astringent and hot. It contains oxalic acid which provokes Pitta and is especially contraindicated for kidney stones. Cooking destroys the oxalic acid.
BUYING & PREPARATION
Baby spinach is more tender. Prewashed spinach has less mud from the farm. Avoid consuming mud from farms that use pesticides. Wash spinach twice before cooking to rinse any caked mud.
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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is
tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with
at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what
should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you
are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive
tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you
experience optimal health.
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether Spinach is a good fit for your body type. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass.
Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion.
Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy, similar to Qi in Chinese Medicine. Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.
In each clinical research trial below, students from the
Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects.
See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Spinach affect your temperature?
0
3
13
8
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your ear temperature?
4
19
1
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your sweat quantity?
0
0
21
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your skin?
0
1
2
0
21
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your tongue body?
3
8
0
13
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the swelling of your tongue body?
2
3
19
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your appetite/hunger?
0
5
12
7
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your digestion speed?
0
9
14
1
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
TOXINS
How did Spinach affect the amount of gas & bloating?
0
2
17
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your stool smell?
0
2
17
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
0
9
14
1
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your tongue coating?
4
0
1
2
17
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your throat soreness?
2
22
0
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your urine smell?
0
0
20
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
0
22
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your sweat smell?
0
0
23
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your acne?
1
22
1
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your freckles/moles?
0
24
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
0
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
21
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
0
23
1
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
HYDRATION
How did Spinach affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
0
20
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the dryness of your skin?
3
1
20
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
0
22
2
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
2
17
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Spinach affect your ear pressure?
2
20
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your congestion?
0
19
5
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0
17
7
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Spinach affect your energy levels?
0
2
13
9
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your muscle tension?
0
4
19
1
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your anxiety?
0
2
19
3
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the stillness of your tongue?
0
24
0
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
DIGESTION
How did Spinach affect the amount of gas & bloating?
0
2
17
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your appetite/hunger?
0
5
12
7
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
0
2
17
5
0
Much relief
Slight relief
Same
Slightly more burning
Much more burning
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your digestion speed?
0
9
14
1
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
TONGUE
How did Spinach affect the stillness of your tongue?
0
24
0
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
0
9
14
1
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
2
17
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your tongue body?
3
8
0
13
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your tongue coating?
4
0
1
2
17
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the swelling of your tongue body?
2
3
19
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
STOOL
How did Spinach affect your stool smell?
0
2
17
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your stool consistency?
0
8
12
3
1
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your stool frequency/quantity?
0
3
14
7
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your stool color?
1
0
11
0
12
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your stool lightness?
0
1
19
4
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
URINE
How did Spinach affect your urine clarity?
1
20
3
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your urine smell?
0
0
20
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your urine lightness?
0
3
19
2
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
0
20
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
0
22
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
SWEAT
How did Spinach affect your sweat smell?
0
0
23
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your sweat quantity?
0
0
21
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
SKIN
How did Spinach affect the dryness of your skin?
3
1
20
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your skin?
0
1
2
0
21
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your freckles/moles?
0
24
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your acne?
1
22
1
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
EYE
How did Spinach affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0
0
23
1
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
0
22
2
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
0
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
21
No Change
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
ENT
How did Spinach affect your congestion?
0
19
5
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your ear pressure?
2
20
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your throat soreness?
2
22
0
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0
17
7
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your ear temperature?
4
19
1
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
SYSTEMIC
How did Spinach affect your muscle tension?
0
4
19
1
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your anxiety?
0
2
19
3
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your temperature?
0
3
13
8
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your energy levels?
0
2
13
9
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
HEART
How did Spinach affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
0
1
23
0
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your heart rate?
0
1
20
3
0
Much slower
Slightly slower
Same
Slightly faster
Much faster
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
How did Spinach affect your heart rhythm?
0
23
1
More palpitations
Same
Less palpitations
Total Responses: 24 Study ID:95 (2022-03-05 - 2022-04-24)
HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!
Are you looking to build diet and meal plans for your clients?
We've got a ton of resources for you to check out below!
(Not you? Keep scrolling!)
HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
When Vata and Pitta are imbalanced, spinach (especially raw spinach) can soften the stools, overstimulate the liver, and cause low grade kidney pain. Next time you eat alot of spinach, you might notice one or more of those symptoms. If not, it is probably fine for you.
How does one feel symptoms of an overstimulated liver? I like spinach, and do not eat it too often, or too much, but it is very tasty in soups. I am a Vata-Pitta person and am wondering if it is okay. Not much tends to bother my digestion except for the dry and gooey textures.
They use a different species of spinach in India than they do in the United States. In the United States, spinach is in a different plant family, and the plant is actually heating. Great comment though!
We mention that spinach has oxalic acid which generally provokes Pitta.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ, 03-26-19 (Reply)
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda.
His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda
, which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition.
John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.
John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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