Spinach

Spinach/Drug Interactions:

  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Spinach (and other dark-green leafy vegetables such as kale, parsley, and green cabbage) contains 3,000-6,000mcg/kg of vitamin K (77). Vitamin K is known to interfere with anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin?), and it has been suggested that vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach may interfere with such anticoagulants (75; 76). Occasional intake of vitamin K-rich food might be permissible during anticoagulant therapy (112).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In human research into satiety, spinach was reported to reduce the postprandial glucose response (68).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In vitro research has indicated that spinach may have an antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells and human gastric cancer cell lines (113; 114), in addition to those of the breast, stomach, lung, colon, and central nervous system, as well as promyelocytic leukemia cell lines (7; 8; 9; 115; 10; 6). It has also been suggested that spinach may augment drugs that reduce the incidence of cancer development. Based on human evidence, a diet rich in fresh vegetables, such as spinach, may protect against several common epithelial neoplasms (45) and has been inversely associated with the risk of prostate cancer (54). In human studies, antioxidant vitamins contained in spinach exhibited a protective effect in patients with gastric cancer, particularly those with Helicobacter pylori infections (46). Similarly, phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances) were shown to have a protective effect on the development of breast cancer (21). In vitro evidence also suggests that antioxidants derived from spinach extract have a chemopreventative effect, as seen in human prostate cancer cells (116).
  • OpioidsOpioids: Based on reviews of animal and in vitro studies, spinach may augment the effect of narcotics, because spinach fragments (rubiscolins) have demonstrated effects that mimic the effects of opiates (67).

    • Spinach/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Spinach (and other dark-green leafy vegetables such as kale, parsley, and green cabbage) contains 3,000-6,000mcg/kg of vitamin K (77). Vitamin K is known to interfere with anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin?), and it has been suggested that vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach may interfere with such anticoagulants (75; 76). Occasional intake of vitamin K-rich food might be permissible during anticoagulant therapy (112).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro research has indicated that spinach may have an antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells and human gastric cancer cell lines (113; 114), in addition to those of the breast, stomach, lung, colon, and central nervous system, as well as promyelocytic leukemia cell lines (7; 8; 9; 115; 10; 6). It has also been suggested that spinach may augment drugs that reduce the incidence of cancer development. Based on human evidence, a diet rich in fresh vegetables, such as spinach, may protect against several common epithelial neoplasms (45) and has been inversely associated with the risk of prostate cancer (54). In human studies, antioxidant vitamins contained in spinach exhibited a protective effect in patients with gastric cancer, particularly those with Helicobacter pylori infections (46). Similarly, phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances) were shown to have a protective effect on the development of breast cancer (21). In vitro evidence also suggests that antioxidants derived from spinach extract have a chemopreventative effect, as seen in human prostate cancer cells (116).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Various studies (human, animal, and in vitro) have reported spinach to possess significant antioxidant properties (4; 17; 27; 54; 117; 6; 118; 119; 120). Animal research has suggested that spinach may have a protective effect against gamma-radiation-induced oxidative stress (121).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In human research into satiety, spinach was reported to reduce the postprandial glucose response (68).
  • Neurologic herbs and supplementsNeurologic herbs and supplements: Based on reviews of animal and in vitro studies, spinach may augment the effect of narcotics, because spinach fragments (rubiscolins) have demonstrated effects that mimic the effects of opiates (67).

    • Spinach/Food Interactions:

  • TomatoesTomatoes: Spinach combined with tomato puree has been reported to increase lymphocytes resistant to oxidative stress (122).
  • Vitamin Krich foodsVitamin K-rich foods: Vitamin K is known to interfere with anticoagulants such as Coumadin? (warfarin sodium), and it has been suggested that vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach may interfere with such anticoagulants (75; 76). Increased coagulation might occur with simultaneous ingestion of other dark-green leafy vegetables with a high vitamin K content, such as kale, parsley, and green cabbage (75; 76; 77) or other vitamin K-rich foods.

    • Spinach/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Spinach may augment coagulation tests as a result of its vitamin K content (75; 76; 77).
  • GlucoseGlucose: In human research into satiety, spinach was reported to reduce the postprandial glucose response (68).