Salad greens like raw spinach contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage from free radicals, potentially lowering your risk for cancer and heart disease. Each serving of raw spinach also provides 3,659 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that act as antioxidants and help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
Safety
Raw spinach has been responsible for outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, including E. coli. Keep it refrigerated and wash it before using it to minimize the risk, even if you purchase the spinach in bags that claim it is prewashed and ready to eat. Don't chop spinach on surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat or poultry, and keep these items separated in your refrigerator.