What is it?
The spinach plant is native to central and western Asia.
Although thought to have originated in Ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), it is now one of the most popular greens on the planet – shooting to fame in the 1930s as the miraculous muscle fuel of everyone’s favourite pipe-smoking sailor and possible steroid abuser Popeye.
What do I do with it?
Loose spinach should be washed thoroughly to remove grit. It can be enjoyed raw in salads, steamed, roasted or stir-fried.
Try stirring a bag of spinach leaves into a vegetable curry for a touch of lean, green, freshness. Alternatively, of course, you could gulp down a tin in one and await the inevitable onset of bulging biceps.
Why is it good for my health?
Sadly, you would have to eat around 1kg of spinach a day to see any real increase in muscle mass, but there’s no doubting its excellent qualities.
It is stuffed full of vitamin A, which is crucial to skin and bone health, as well as good vision.
It’s also one of the best foods for fighting cancer, with its abundance of various other vitamins, a whole host of minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytonutrients working in tandem to repair damaged cells and reduce inflammation. Unbeleafable!
