“Pua Leng” is a green leafy vegetable that is highly beneficial to health, rich in vitamins A, C, K, and B6, as well as iron, calcium, and magnesium. However, if consumed in excessive amounts, it can cause health problems.
Important side effects of bok choy
Spinach is high in oxalate, and consuming too much over a long period of time can lead to kidney stones. Additionally, the vitamin K in spinach can interfere with blood thinners and some medications.
1. Increased risk of kidney stones
Spinach contains oxalate, which, if consumed in excess, can accumulate in the แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ body and form kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate, the most common type. Dehydration or not drinking enough water can make this condition worse. Boiling spinach can help reduce the amount of oxalate. Eating calcium-rich foods, such as yogurt or cottage cheese, along with spinach may also help prevent kidney stones from forming (4). However, everyone’s body is different, so it’s best to consult your doctor before deciding to add spinach to your diet.
2. May affect the function of blood thinning medications.
Spinach is high in vitamin K, a nutrient that can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinning medications. Blood thinning medications are often used to prevent strokes, so people at risk should reduce their consumption of spinach. Warfarin is a blood thinning medication used in people at risk of blood clots. Vitamin K has been found to reduce the effectiveness of warfarin because vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting.
A half cup of cooked bok choy contains 444 mcg of vitamin K, while a cup of raw bok choy contains 145 mcg of vitamin K. bok choy has a higher amount of vitamin K because heat increases the absorption of the nutrient.
However, vitamin K should not be excluded from the diet, as foods high in vitamin K, such as spinach, are also rich in other essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamin K is beneficial for heart health, may play a role in preventing hardening of the arteries, cardiovascular disease, and helps lower levels of bad cholesterol. It may also help prevent cancer and promote bone health, helping to relieve symptoms of osteoporosis.
3. May interfere with mineral absorption.
Empirical evidence suggests that spinach may lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in calcium and magnesium, due to its high oxalic acid content, which can cause electrolyte imbalances. Some research suggests that consuming foods high in oxalate may inhibit the absorption of minerals. Oxalate is an antinutrient.
Oxalates in spinach can interfere with the absorption of minerals such as calcium. Spinach contains both oxalates and calcium, and consuming large amounts might interfere with calcium absorption. However, spinach does not appear to affect calcium absorption when taken with milk. Although it contains calcium, the body absorbs only about one-tenth the amount of calcium from milk.
Oxalates in spinach can also react with iron and inhibit its absorption by forming crystals. Decreased absorption of the mineral can lead to anemia.
However, the good news is that cooking bok choy can help reduce its oxalate content, which is good news for those at risk of kidney stones. Boiling or steaming bok choy before eating may help prevent some of the problems caused by high oxalate levels.
Spinach is also believed to affect thyroid function, typically by inhibiting the use of iodine, due to the presence of a compound called goitrogens. However, research on this issue is inconclusive. Eating raw spinach may interfere with thyroid medications, and people taking them may experience fatigue and mood swings. If you have thyroid problems, talk to your doctor before consuming spinach.
4. May cause gout to flare up.
Spinach contains purines, which are thought to contribute to gout. Gout is a common cause of chronic arthritis in the United States. Symptoms of gout include joint inflammation, swelling, and pain. Blogger Marty Martinson shared his experience of how certain foods, such as spinach, triggered his gout attacks. “I ate a lot of spinach, asparagus, burnet sauce, wine, and processed snacks. I could feel my uric acid levels rising. It was little signs in my feet and ankles,” he said.
However, there is no clear evidence that the consumption of vegetables high in purines is significantly associated with gout, so further research is needed before a clear conclusion can be drawn.
But to be on the safe side, if you suffer from gout, talk to your doctor about consuming bok choy, as bok choy can interfere with the way some medications work. So if you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor first.
Some empirical evidence suggests that consuming too much spinach might cause blood pressure and blood sugar levels to drop too low, which could be a problem for people taking medications to control high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects. If you are taking medications to control your blood sugar or blood pressure, talk to your doctor before consuming spinach.
5. Allergy to bok choy
Although allergy to bok choy is uncommon, some people may experience an allergic reaction when the allergen enters the body and triggers an immune response. It is also a high-histamine food and is often not suitable for people with histamine intolerance. Oxalates in bok choy can also cause adverse reactions in some people.
Some people may experience the following symptoms even after eating small amounts of bok choy:
- Itching or tingling in the mouth and throat
- Swollen lips, tongue, face, or throat
- Runny nose or blocked nose
- Itchy rash or hives
- Severe coughing and sneezing
- Nausea, vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea or stomach pain
- Severe allergic reaction or life-threatening allergic reaction in severe cases