Tag: Popeye myth

While a half-cup of cooked spinach contains approximately 3 mg of iron, the popular belief that spinach is a superior source of iron is largely a myth. The famous misconception, partly fueled by the cartoon Popeye, overlooks key details about iron absorption and bioavailability. So, is spinach full of iron, or is its reputation overblown?

According to a study involving over 3,700 participants, those with a higher dietary intake of nitrates from vegetables like spinach showed 11% greater lower-limb strength over a 12-year period, proving that eating spinach can indeed contribute to muscle function.

Despite the popular cartoon myth, a cup of canned spinach contains about 4.92 milligrams of iron, which is not as high as many believe, and much of it is not easily absorbed. This raises the important question: Is canned spinach full of iron in a way that truly benefits your body?

While the cartoon character Popeye might have you believe that spinach is a muscle-building powerhouse, raw spinach contains only about 0.7 grams of protein per cup. The misconception that spinach is filled with protein often stems from a high-profile error regarding its iron content, which has also been debunked.