Popeye, an old-time comic book hero, was a sailor known for his strength. His secret weapon? Spinach. At the approach of trouble, he chugged a can of spinach, which caused his muscles to bulge. Is there any truth to this idea or is it a ploy to get kids to eat their vegetables?
Fun Fact
- Spinach, is in fact, one of the most nutritious vegetables. It’s high in iron, which helps build red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen through the body and provide energy. Spinach is also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C.
- Spinach was probably first cultivated in Persia. It spread to Europe during the Middle Ages and has always been known for its health benefits.
- Spinach Florentine refers to a creamy spinach dish. The story goes that the Catherine De Medici, wife of France’s Henry II, introduced the dish and gave it the name Florentine in honor of her native country, Italy.
- Spinach is high in chlorophyll and carotenoids. These chemical compounds are known for their ability to fight disease, improve eye sight, and perhaps even prevent or treat certain cancers.
- During World War I, spinach juice was added to wine and given to soldiers who had been injured. The reason is that spinach is good for building blood.
- Spinach is an easy crop to grow in the garden. It doesn’t grow well in hot weather, but grows best during cool, rainy spring weather.
Vocabulary
- Bulge: become large
- Native: where someone comes from
- Compound: a mixture
Questions and Answers
Question: Is spinach good for everyone?
Answer: People who suffer from kidney stones should probably not eat spinach on a regular basis. Spinach contains certain chemicals that can aggravate kidney stones.
Learn More
Visit Food Network to learn more about spinach.
