Nutrition
Benefits of Spinach
-Offers a low-calorie, low-fat source of nutrients
Two-thirds of a cup (100 grams) of raw spinach has 23 calories, 3.6 grams of carbohydrates, three grams of protein and zero cholesterol or fat.
– Protects one against diseases
Spinach has a variety of antioxidants, including carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein.
These natural chemicals protect humans and plants from bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.
These molecules can build up in the body, causing cell damage that leads to chronic conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.
– Lowers blood pressure
The high potassium levels in spinach relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Spinach is high in magnesium and folate, a B vitamin. These nutrients help you make nitric oxide, a molecule that lowers blood pressure. Spinach also has nitrates, chemicals that expand blood vessels.
According to research, participants who drank a spinach beverage had lower blood pressure for up to five hours after finishing the drink.
– Boosts brain health
Studies show thateating a half-cup serving of cooked spinach or other leafy greens every day slows age-related memory changes. The high levels of antioxidants and folate, lowers one’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. They stop proteins from building up in your brain and lessen inflammation.
5. Improves gut health
Two-thirds of a cup of raw spinach has close to two grams of fibre. Fibre also makes one full and prevents constipation.
6. Supports healthy blood
Spinach is rich in non-heme (plant-based) iron, making it an excellent meal for vegetarians. Eating an iron-rich diet that includes spinach can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia and symptoms like fatigue.
Combining foods high in vitamin C with foods high in iron, like spinach, can maximize non-heme iron absorption. “Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) binds with iron, making it easier for your body to absorb both nutrients.
– Protects eyesight
Lutein and another antioxidant called zeaxanthin in spinach are related to vitamin A and beta-carotene found in carrots. These antioxidants help protect your eyes against sun damage. They may also lower your risk of eye disorders, such as age-related cataracts.
One small study found that eating a half-cup of frozen spinach every day for two months increases lutein levels and eye pigment. High pigment levels may lower your risk of macular degeneration.
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In March 2025, world leaders gathered in Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, the most important global gathering on malnutrition of the decade. Over $30 billion in new financial commitments were pledged globally by more than 170 actors from 82 countries. Ghana was there. Ghana made commitments. The question now is: are those commitments enough, and will they be delivered?
Ghana made 10 commitments at the 2025 N4G Summit. One of the most significant is a pledge to spend at least $6 million annually from 2026 for the procurement of essential nutrition commodities including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), iron-folic acid tablets, vitamin A supplements, and anthropometric equipment for measuring child growth.
This financial commitment is meaningful. For years, Ghana’s nutrition programmes have depended heavily on donor funding, leaving services vulnerable to aid cuts and supply disruptions. A domestic budget line for nutrition commodities signals a shift toward ownership and sustainability. It also directly supports Ghana’s Nutrition for Growth commitments from the 2021 Tokyo Summit, several of which remain off track.
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 N4G Summit was about more than funding. It called for systemic change: embedding nutrition in food systems, health coverage, climate resilience, and gender equality. Every dollar invested in nutrition is estimated to return $16 to the local economy. Yet malnutrition still costs Ghana an estimated 6.4 per cent of its GDP annually. That is not a public health statistic. It is an economic emergency.
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has acknowledged that converting summit outcomes into actionable change requires transparent policy dialogue and locally driven solutions.
Commitments made in Paris must be tracked, funded, and implemented in Ghana’s communities. Programmes must move from pilot scale to national coverage. That will not happen without sustained political will, dedicated domestic financing, and public accountability.
Commitments made on global stages matter. But they only become meaningful when they translate into services in communities. The question is not what Ghana promised in Paris. It is what Ghana delivers at home.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
Cabbage is very rich in fibre, the main supplier of roughage. This helps the body retain water and it maintains the bulkiness of the food as it moves through the bowels.
Thus, it is a good remedy for constipation and other digestion-related problems.
Ingredients
-1 large cabbage
– 4 large fresh tomatoes
– 1 large onion
– Pepper
-Garlic
-2 large salmon
-1 tin of mackerel
-2 large green pepper
-Salt to taste
Preparation
-Chop cabbage roughly and wash in a large pot of water
-Pour vinegar on it and wait until you make other preparations. Then drain.
-Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat
-Cook and stir onion in hot oil until onion turns dark brown.
-Blend tomatoes, green pepper, garlic and onion and add to the oil
-Add tomato paste, mackerel and salmon to stew
-Add cabbage, stir and cover to cook for 7 – 10 minutes
-Allow to simmer when it is soft and serve with rice, yam etc.
