Eat Spinach, Grow Muscles, Be Strong Like Popeye

Do you actually believe spinach makes Popeye’s muscles grow big and really strong? I bet you didn’t even when you were just a child. Well, children nowadays can better identify what’s real and what’s not than ever. They know cartoons are but shows, much like the small Jerry often beating the big guy Tom, far from reality. Even my 2-year-old nephew would argue if you say monsters are real.

But, hey, if you look closely into the nutritional facts of spinach, it will not be fair to assume that the particular vegetable cannot really boost muscles and muscle strength. First of all, spinach is rich in vitamins, minerals, and has lots of other phytonutrients or natural plant chemicals that provide nutritional value for human. Among the know phytonutrients in spinach is lutein, a chemical responsible in increasing the pigment of macula that is also significant in helping slow the natural degeneration process of eyesight. One can also get vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E or

Alpha Tocopherol, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. It also contains niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc, and of course, the important building block of the human body called protein.

It is also well known that the reason why vegetable eaters seem to not see visit people in white scrubs and lab coats often compared to non-vegetable eaters, is that they are very low in saturated fats as well as cholesterol, and very good source of dietary fiber. This also tells us that spinach helps keep health in utmost state.

In a recent scientific study, researchers found proofs backing Popeye’s claim. According to the study results, a bowl of spinach can help muscles work efficiently profound because of the nitrates that it contains. These nitrates have an effect that’s similar with what fuel do to car’s engine. They help make mitochondria, the cell’s power house, run smoother and more efficiently. And it seems to also help stop the loss of energy when muscles work, a much better performance than vehicle engine, wherein too much energy is wasted due to generation of heat.

While this study cracked open the secret in Popeye’s strength-generating-spinach, this should also explain why rich in fruits and vegetables diet is best for health, considering the fact that veggies are naturally rich in nitrates.