Palak in English | Palak Benefits, Uses & Recipes

Do you know what do we call Palak in English? What are its benefits, uses, and recipes? Read this article to find out everything in detail!

Palak in English is called Spinach. It is considered a superfood because of its numerous health advantages. Read this article to find out its amazing medicinal benefits, uses, and some of its delicious recipes!

Here’s what Kathal is called in English

Benefits of Palak

Now that you know that Palak in English is called spinach, let’s have a look at its advantages!

1. Has Anti-Diabetic Properties

Being low in carbohydrates, spinach helps maintain blood sugar levels and makes a great diet addition to diabetic and pre-diabetic people.

It is also rich in an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid, which is proven to lower blood glucose levels and activate body insulin.

2. Great Source of Iron

No matter how you consume spinach, it is one of the best sources of iron and provides the body with a high amount of iron while being absolutely fat-free.

3. Protects Against Heart Problems

Spinach is rich in vitamin C which prevents cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it has lutein and nitrite which prevent the deposit of fat in arteries and reduce the risk of a heart attack.

4. Promotes Better Bone Health

As with all other dark-green leafy vegetables, spinach is rich in calcium. This makes the bones stronger and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

5. Promotes Better Eye Health

Being abundant in beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and chlorophyll, spinach prevents macular degeneration due to aging, which is one of the leading causes of bad eyesight. Additionally, it also increases our body’s glutathione levels which help prevent cataracts.

6. Strengthens Immunity

Since Palak is a storehouse of nutrients, it makes a great addition to everyday diet to promote better health and increase the body’s immunity. It is a pocket-friendly and natural way to boost immunity as compared to medicinal supplements.

7. Cures Indigestion and Constipation

Due to its high fiber and water content, Palak helps cure indigestion and constipation. Furthermore, it helps control hyperacidity and relieves stomach ache.

8. Eliminates Skin Problems

The essence of spinach is good for healthy skin, thanks to Vitamin-A that also helps treat acne, ringworm, athlete’s foot, rashes, inflammation, as well as sunburn. Due to its detoxifying properties, it helps relieve insect bites, itching, and soreness.

9. Treatment of Fever

People use spinach decoction to treat fever. Its juice is also used as a cold compress. Moreover, the vitamin C in spinach fights cold and cough and gives the body better immunity against diseases.

10. Ayurvedic Uses

According to Ayurveda, Palak has Sita (cold), Ropan (healing), Bhedini (laxative), and Santarpana (nourishing) properties. 

11. Treatment of Anemia

Being a rich source of iron, spinach is very beneficial for people suffering from anemia. Besides, it is also helpful for menstruating women, pregnant ladies, and hemoglobin-deficient people to increase their red blood cells.

Palak Recipes

Here are some of the most famous Palak recipes from the kitchens of India:

1. Palak Paneer

This dish is made with boiled spinach and cubes of cottage cheese. It is a very famous recipe across the country!

2. Palak Puri

People make this by kneading the plain Puri dough with a smooth grind of spinach and some spices. Full recipe here.

3. Palak Parathe

These are regular Parathe with the flavor of spinach.

4. Palak Pakore

Leaves of spinach make regular Pakore (fried gram flour batter) healthier and crispier.

5. Palak Chi Paatal Bhaaji

People make this by cooking spinach with chana dal and peanuts. It is the common way of eating spinach in Maharashtra.

6. Tamilian Spinach Poriyal

It is the traditional famous Poriyal of Tamil Nadu, except it has spinach as an ingredient.

7. Keerai Masiyal/Keerai Kootu/Palakura Pappu/Palak Tovve

This is basic spinach curry with a tadka of urad/moong dal. It goes by different names in Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, and Karnataka.