The goosefoot family

The tall leafy vegetable is a part of the goosefoot family aptly named because the leaves resemble a gooses foot. Other members are beets and spinach. It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium. Manganese is used by the body as a co factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for cellular oxidation and red blood cell formation.