Basil vs Spinach - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Introduction

The basil plant with its round, pointed leaves often reminds us of peppermint. It is usually used as a seasoning herb for a wide variety of dishes and is often considered as “the king of herbs”. It goes without saying that this green is the main ingredient in pesto. Its flavored mixture with pine nuts and parmesan cheese is hard to forget. The amazing versatility of spinach has been familiar to culinary for a long time. In contrast to basil, which is used as seasoning, it is incorporated into our daily meal in a lot of forms, be it in a raw, boiled or cooked from and has numerous nutritional benefits.

Nutritional Content Comparison

Being high in water-soluble vitamins, minerals, fat-soluble vitamins and so on, spinach leaves basil behind. This leafy green contains 987% Vitamin K in contrast to the 98% of the other one. Other minerals and vitamins are low in basil compared to spinach as well, like manganese is 12% more and 84% more accordingly.

Health Impact

As a concerned individual who takes care of their health, you may ask; which is better? The second one appears to be part of more scientific studies. This study showed that it may reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. The case is that increased consumption of leafy and carotenoid vegetables leads to decreased risk of prostate cancer. Nonetheless, these two foods are high in many nutritious elements and are excellent for struggling against a number of health issues thanks to:

• Anti-bacterial properties
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Anti-cancer properties
• Nutrients essential for cardiovascular health (due to magnesium)

SUMMARY

Summing up we should state that spinach is slightly richer in water-soluble vitamins and it appears to be a part of more scientific studies. Although the difference in vitamin/mineral quantities is insignificant, spinach being richer in Vitamins and basil being slightly richer in minerals.