“Popeye’s Snack” BOOSTS Muscle Strength!

And it’s important for preventing falls and fractures

If you think you need to pump iron in the gym to maintain muscle as you get older… think again. 

Yes, working out is good for you. 

And maintaining functional strength through daily activities like gardening or picking up your grandkids is great for strength, balance, and overall wellbeing. 

But believe it or not, you can build muscle strength without lifting any weights (or any grandkids)! 

Even better, “Popeye’s snack” can boost your muscle strength. 

And help prevent falls and fractures! 

…… 

Popeye the Sailor Man downed a can of spinach to give his muscles a boost. 

And it looks like it could do the same for you, too. 

In a study that included nearly 3,800 people over 12 years, researchers found that people who ate the most nitrates — which are compounds that are abundant in leafy greens like spinach and kale — had 11 percent stronger lower limb strength. 

And their walking speed was four percent faster, compared to people who ate less leafy greens. 

Here’s the really impressive part… After assessing the participants’ physical activity, they found that the leafy greens boosted muscle strength regardless of whether they exercised. 

How is that possible? 

I’m glad you asked! 

You see, leafy greens contain nitrates, which your body converts to nitric oxide. 

Nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels and causes them to widen, which delivers more oxygen to your muscles. 

Ultimately, improved blood flow boosts exercise performance. 

This shows the benefits even without exercise… but imagine how much more beneficial it would be if you did! 

Muscle strength is about much more than how much you can bench press. 

You need muscle strength just to walk and get out of bed. It also happens to be important for joint and bone health, and helps prevent dangerous (and potentially deadly) falls. 

I always encourage people to stay active. 

But even if you can’t, be sure you’re eating plenty of nitrate-rich foods, like spinach, kale, lettuce, and beetroot. 

Just one cup per day should give you all you need.