Why not give green leafy vegetables to babies
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or chard are very useful in vegetable purées, because they give it that typical green touch. In addition, spinach, for example, are a source of numerous vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6 and folic acid, C, K and E) and minerals (manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, potass
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or chard are very useful in vegetable purées, because they give it that typical green touch. In addition, spinach, for example, are a source of numerous vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6 and folic acid, C, K and E) and minerals (manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc). , apart from fiber.
However, according to the recommendations of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition no, it is not advisable to incorporate them into the diet of children under one year old, or if it is done, it should bein very small quantities . In general, it is convenient to control their consumption during early childhood.Why not give green leafy vegetables to children under one year
The reason for this restriction is the presence, naturally, in this type of vegetables, as well as in others present in the diet,
of nitrates , that of in case they do not present a great toxicity, but in the organism they are transformed into nitrites, whose toxicity is much higher. Nitrates are also used, added artificially, as preservatives in food.On the other hand, the exposure of nitrites to heat favors the appearance of nitrosamines, potentially carcinogenic, but vitamin C, which is usually present along with nitrates in the food, protects against this transformation.
Blood hemoglobin transports oxygen from respiration from the lungs to the tissues where it will be used by cells, and transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs. This hemoglobin normally contains iron in its ferrous state (Fe2 +), but
the presence of nitrites in the organism alters this iron , causing it to oxidize and be in the ferric state (Fe3 +). This abnormal form of hemoglobin is known as methemoglobin, and when it is found, it loses its ability to transport oxygen to tissues. Methemoglobinemia is the disease that occurs when there is an excess of methemoglobin in the blood.High amounts of nitrates in the diet, which later become nitrites, can therefore produce methemoglobinemia. This process is favored by the presence in the stomach of nitrate-reducing bacteria, more frequent in the gastrointestinal tracts of children than in those of adults, whose pH is lower. During the first 6 months of life, lacta infants fed artificial formulas are more prone to this disease
since the water used to make them contains nitrates. In addition, at these ages a part of the hemoglobin is still in its fetal form, more sensitive to the transformation into methemoglobin. It is advisable, as a precaution, to use very low mineralization water to elaborate the formula of the infant . Methemoglobinemia, due to the lack of oxygen in tissues, manifests mainly with cyanosis. It is often referred to as the blue baby syndrome, since the skin acquires this tonality. In addition, it produces weakness and accelerates the heart rate. Very severe cases, with blood methemoglobin levels above 50%, have, in fact, potentially fatal consequences.On the other hand, exposure during pregnancy, and particularly in the third trimester, to high levels of nitrates and nitrites
may increase the risk of complications
, such as anemia or high blood pressure. In severe cases, abortions, preeclampsia and premature births may occur.
