I never understood why Popeye's "signature food" was spinach which he used for his strength because in reality spinach is not a bodybuilder food.

I mean yeah spinach is good for you but it's not used for that.

Typical body-builder menu is protein; red meat, eggs, fish... those foods would make more sense than spinach.

Spinach Does a Body Good

Link (http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4608886_spinach-help-build-muscles.html)

Spinach is also rich in calcium, which has always been known to create strong bones. But it is also very important for muscle building. Calcium helps relax the muscle, thus reducing the chances for cramping. This causes better and greater muscle contractions that facilitate muscle growth. It just so happens to be an added plus that it is good for bones, where muscle is attached. So if the bones are strong and healthy, they will offer good support for muscles.


Do You Want Big Muscles? Eat Spinach to Get Them.

Link (http://news.softpedia.com/news/Want-Big-Muscles-Eat-Spinach-85055.shtml)

In the end, they were right when they gave Popeye, the cartoon sailor, spinach instead of garlic as enhancement for his supernatural powers. For long, spinach was said to be rich in calcium and iron (later researches proved this was just rubbish), but a new research has, for the first time, proved its ability to boost strength, as signaled by NewScientist.

The team led by Ilya Raskin, from the Rutgers University in New Jersey, has discovered that out of all the chemicals contained in spinach, phytoecdysteroids (a type of plant steroids) do spur muscle growth by increasing the body's conversion of protein into muscle mass. However, don't rush to the market just yet: these effect could be felt only if humans were to consume over 2.2lb (one kilogram) of spinach daily.

Phytoecdysteroids placed on samples of human muscle increased their growth by up to 20%. Rats that had received shots of phytoecdysteroids for an entire month were also more powerful and had increased grip strength.

100 grams of spinach contain 510 mg of sodium, 375 mg of potassium, 49 mg of calcium, 37 mg of magnesium, 29 mg of sulfur, 0.6 mg of manganese, 0.45 mg of zinc, 0.13 mg of copper, vitamins B and C, carotenes (precursors of vitamin A), spinacine, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Spinach is also rich in vitamin K, and has been proved to help people stay or become slim, by decreasing the digestion of fat and inducing the sensation of feeling fuller for a longer period of time. This plant can also increase brainpower by keeping the mind alert.

Consuming spinach is also good against eye diseases. Spinach is a good heart tonifier and an anti-cancer, anti-anemia, anti-scurvy and re-mineralizing aliment. It also prevents gum and teeth infections, and bleeding - the latter condition being caused by a diet rich in cereals, sugar and starch. This aliment also detoxifies the organism, being beneficial in case of duodenal ulcer, convulsions, nerve degeneration, furuncles, deficiencies of the adrenal and thyroid glands, nephritis, arthritis, abscess, limb swelling, hemophilia, lack of tonus, rheumatic pain, hypo- and hypertension, vision issues and headaches (including migraines).

Thanks for the link.

I see that it assists in body building by keeping bones healthy and does grow muscles if consumed in large amounts.

I was asking since spinach is not a "bodybuilder food".

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/662893/why_does_popeye_eat_spinach.html?cat=25
The above article may answer some of your questions.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/662893/why_does_popeye_eat_spinach.html?cat=25
The above article may answer some of your questions.

Thanks for the article.

Interesting about the misconception at the time. That really explains it.

Thanks for the article.

Interesting about the misconception at the time. That really explains it.
You're welcome. It's pretty funny that Popeye's whole image is based on misinformation!

Cool! Funny this topic came up because the other night I wanted a Casear salad, so I went to the grocery store and got stuff to make my own. Instead of romaine lettuce, I bought a big bag of spinach lettuce. I mixed it with ranch, some warm diced chicken and some Parmesan cheese. Yum! I guess it's no coincidence that Popeye's picture was on the bag of spinach, huh? ;)

Even when I was young I knew it was propaganda to get kids to eat it.

However, many bodybuilders and powerlifters eat it, because of the high levels of iron.

I never understood why Popeye's "signature food" was spinach which he used for his strength because in reality spinach is not a bodybuilder food.

I mean yeah spinach is good for you but it's not used for that.

Typical body-builder menu is protein; red meat, eggs, fish... those foods would make more sense than spinach.

Because "I'm strong to the finich because I eats me red meat, eggs, and fish" doesn't sound as good.

Because "I'm strong to the finich because I eats me red meat, eggs, and fish" doesn't sound as good.
:rofl: So true.

Chocolate is much better for you.

OK, maybe not physically, but certainly emotionally :D

Do you think if Popeye cartoons were made in 2010 he'd drink an energy drink instead of eating spinach?

Do you think if Popeye cartoons were made in 2010 he'd drink an energy drink instead of eating spinach?
No, he'd probably be on steroids!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

No, he'd probably be on steroids!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
What a great role model he would be for kids. :rolleyes:

What a great role model he would be for kids. :rolleyes:
I know, but these days it's par for the course. ohno:

No, he'd probably be on steroids!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Not only that, but Olive Oyl would be saving HIM!

Actually, I think it had a lot to do with trying to get the kiddies to eat their veggies, and especially spinach since most kids hate it (along with Brussel Sprouts - a la Beaver Cleaver stuffing them in his shirt pocket).

I remember my mom always touting how Popeye ate his spinach and his was strong. She didn't know tho that Popeye's mom knew how to wash it properly prior to cooking....ours always had sand in it. It was like eating seaweed off the beach! (God bless her)

Not only that, but Olive Oyl would be saving HIM!
:rofl:

Mom: Eat your spinach son it will put color in your cheeks!

Son: But Mom I don't want green cheeks!

...created a few sequences around 1932 showing Popeye eating spinach, which gave him even MORE strength than usual (he often had the strength to literally lift Olive's house to show up one of her beaus, as he did in one 1936 Sunday strip), briefly transforming him into a "super-human" who could outpunch any enemy and enabled him to accomplish whatever "amazing feat" he had in mind [lifting an ocean liner, et. al.]. When Max Fleischer began producing his theatrical Popeye cartoons in 1933, his writers hit on the idea that all the one-eyed swab had to do was consume a can of spinach, and ZINGO! He could do ANYTHING...this became as standard in those cartoons as his "three-cornered" relationship with Olive Oyl and Bluto (he appeared just ONCE, in Segar's strip). Very few people had the amazing storytelling [and drawing] abilty as Segar did. The Popeye cartoons eventually settled into "formula" {Popeye vs. Bluto for Olive's affections- at the climax, he manages to whip out a can of spinach- "Ta-da-da-da-duh-da-daahh"- BOOM! Bluto's out of the picture, Popeye and Olive are together again...until the next time}.

:typing:

Not only that, but Olive Oyl would be saving HIM!

And Wimpy will be eating soy-burgers.

And Wimpy will be eating soy-burgers.
I'm guessing PETA would be writing the scripts! :eek: :crazy: :lol:

And Wimpy will be eating soy-burgers.


LOL And Popeye better start buying his spinach in cellophane bags rather than cans since now the linings of tin cans are found to be dangerous to your health.

Geez, it's a good thing cartoons weren't invented today - there'd be way too much political correctness.:lol:

LOL And Popeye better start buying his spinach in cellophane bags rather than cans since now the linings of tin cans are found to be dangerous to your health.

Geez, it's a good thing cartoons weren't invented today - there'd be way too much political correctness.:lol:
Amen to that!!

LOL And Popeye better start buying his spinach in cellophane bags rather than cans since now the linings of tin cans are found to be dangerous to your health.

Geez, it's a good thing cartoons weren't invented today - there'd be way too much political correctness.:lol:

Just like Mark Trail, Popeye will no longer use a pipe, and he will speak proper English. Bluto will attend anger management classes.

Just like Mark Trail, Popeye will no longer use a pipe, and he will speak proper English. Bluto will attend anger management classes.
:rofl: I'd actually like to see Bluto in the anger management classes.

:rofl: I'd actually like to see Bluto in the anger management classes.
Instead of having a fist fight, Popeye and Bluto will now resolve their differences through mediation.

Instead of having a fist fight, Popeye and Bluto will now resolve their differences through mediation.
:brent

Popeye's muscles are from the Spinach he consumes, spinach is HIGH in potassium and potassium helps a lot with muscle weakness. I don't eat enough spinach. I know this and would like to...

Ya He had a good reason to eat it :)

:brent

Nah they'd be gay lovers fighting over Wimpy

I was always told it was a source of iron.

Don't care much for spinach, but I probably need to start taking some of those brain and memory function pills. I don't remember this thread much less replying to it. :(