Ipomoea aquatica/ Water Spinach

Ipomoea aquatica/ Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) , also known as water spinach, chai in Teochew and Hokkien, ong choy (__) in Cantonese, kongxincai (___) in Mandarin Chinese,, is scientifically classified as Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Convolvulaceae Genus: Ipomoea Species: I. aquatica.

Water spinach is an herbaceous aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial plant of the tropics or subtropics. Leaves are flat, and vary in shape depending on variety, from heart-shaped to long, narrow and arrow-shaped. Narrow leaves are 1-2.5 cm wide and 20-30 cm long. Broad leaves are up to 5 cm wide and 15-25 cm long.

Ipomoea aquatica/ Water Spinach - Beautiful

Health Benefits

Water spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients that benefit your body as well as your skin and brain. It contains abundant quantities of water, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A and other nutrients and can be eaten cooked or raw. It is mostly used in salads as well as other dishes to boost their nutrient content. Juice of water spinach is also very beneficial.

Nutrient Facts

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy		79kj
Dietary fiber		2.1g
Carbohydrates		3.14g
Sugars		N/A
Fat		0.2g
Protein		2.6g
Minerals
Calcium	8%	77mg
Copper	0%	0mg
Iron	13%	1.67mg
Magnesium	20%	71mg
Manganese	8%	0.16mg
Phosphorus	6%	39mg
Potassium	7%	312mg
Sodium	8%	113mg
Zinc	2%	0.18mg

Vitamins
Vitamin A IU	%	0mg
Vitamin A equivalent	39%	315mg
Beta-Carotene	0%	0mg
B1 - Thiamine	3%	0.03mg
B2 - Riboflavin	8%	0.1mg
B3 - Niacin	6%	0.9mg
B5 - Pantothenic acid	3%	0.141mg
B6 - Vitamin	7%	0.096mg
B9 - Folate	14%	57mg
Vitamin C	66%	55mg
Vitamin E	0%	0mg
Vitamin K	0%	0mg
Choline	0%	0mg
Betaine		0mg