Popeye always ate Spinach for energy: Here’s Why

I’m Popeye the Sailor Man

I’m Popeye the Sailor Man

I’m strong to the finich

Cause I eats me spinach

I’m Popeye the Sailor Man

A song from the most famous character of a cartoon show – Popeye the sailor man

Popeye used to eat spinach to get the power to beat the big bully named Bluto. The character became so synonymous with spinach that the sales of spinach rose considerably as kids wanted to become as powerful as Popeye.

Apart from energy, what makes Spinach so sought after greens in every household? Listed below are some of the nutritional benefits of having spinach.

• Low calorie – It is generally low in calories, 100g gives just 23 calories and 2.2g of fiber. But it has loads of vitamins and minerals required for various functions in our body.
• Spinach is rich in potassium, 100g gives 558 mg of potassium. This is good for people with high blood pressure where potassium can help in management of high blood pressure. It is also helpful to prevent muscle loss, help in maintaining bone mineral density and electrolyte balance.
• It is a good source of iron especially for vegetarians. 100g gives 2.7mg of iron and around 100 mcg of folate which makes it a good choice for people suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
• Spinach is also a good source of other micronutrients like zinc, manganese, copper, different B vitamins – required for immunity and for various hormones and enzymatic reactions in our body.
• Spinach is also a good source of calcium. However, the presence of oxalic acid prevents the absorption of calcium in our body. Hence it is generally advised to cook spinach leaves to get rid of the oxalic acid and aid in maximum absorption of calcium from it.
• Due to the presence of phytonutrients and antioxidants, Spinach has the potential to  decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health, and help prevent heart disease and cancer

Spinach is a versatile leafy vegetable. A number of dishes can be prepared using it.

It can be boiled/pureed/ consumed raw in the form of salad. No matter which way you like to eat your spinach, regular eating can improve overall health and nutritional status.