Is Eating Spinach Every Day Good For You? Benefits & Side Effects

What are the side effects of eating too much spinach?

Although it is safe for most people to eat a bowl of spinach per day, people should be careful while eating excessive spinach every day. Disadvantages of eating spinach in excess on a daily basis are as follows:

• Oxalic acid and purines: Eating too much spinach can interfere with the ability of the body to absorb minerals. Oxalic acid present in spinach binds with zinc, magnesium, and calcium because of which the body does not absorb enough nutrients, which may lead to a mineral deficiency. High amounts of purines and oxalates can trigger conditions such as kidney stones and gout (a type of arthritis). High amounts of oxalic acid in spinach may form calcium oxalate stones in the kidney. A high purine content of spinach may also aggravate gout or gouty arthritis and lead to joint pain, swelling, and inflammation.
• Vitamin K: An individual must not consume spinach if they are taking anti-coagulating medicines (blood thinners) such as warfarin. Spinach is very high in vitamin K, and this nutrient may react with the anticoagulant drug and significantly affect its action and effect on other coagulating factors present in the blood.
• Digestive issues: Eating too much spinach may lead to an excessive buildup of gas, bloating, and cramps because our body needs some time to digest the excessive load of spinach and cannot metabolize it all at once. Spinach is high in fiber and takes time to get digested, which may further lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Spinach is a good source of iron, but sometimes, because of the high fiber content and its excessive consumption, the body is not able to absorb the plant-based iron we have ingested.
• Histamine: This leafy vegetable contains histamine that may trigger a minor pseudo allergic effect or an allergic reaction in some people.
• Drug interference: Patients on anti-coagulating medicines (blood thinners) such as warfarin must not take spinach because they are very high in vitamin K, and this nutrient may react with the anticoagulant drug and significantly affect its activities and other coagulating factors.
• Toxic reaction: This is a bit serious issue, and some people have complained about the toxic effect and poisoning of spinach when it gets contaminated with bacteria (such as E. coli) through pesticides, organic fertilizers, or irrigation water.

Other possible complications may include low blood pressure, tremors or convulsions, vomiting, and a weak pulse.