Popeye's fine example

Was his secret the phytoecdysteroids?

Spinach and other leafy green vegetables have steroidal-type compounds called phytoecdysteroids. When US researchers extracted these compounds from spinach and applied them to cultured, human muscle samples, they found growth of the muscle increased by 20%. Likewise, rats injected with the compounds were found to be a little stronger after receiving a series of injections. But don’t worry – you won’t bulk up like Popeye anytime soon. The quantities of phytoecdysteroids found in spinach and other leafy greens is minimal.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, April 2008