Was Popeye Right? Is Spinach A Performance Enhancing Substance?

Strong to the finish 'cuz he eats his spinach, he's Popeye the sailor man.  Who knew there was some kind of nutritional magic in that can of spinach!

Researchers from the Free University of Berlin have found ecdysterone-- a hormone found in spinach-- is so powerful that they want it to be considered a performance-enhancing drug.

The Daily Mail reports that athletes who took large amounts of the supplement had significant spikes in play, performing three times better compared to those that took a placebo pill.

But like Popeye, you would have to eat spinach by the canfull to get the full benefit.  Researchers say it takes eight pounds and three ounces of spinach to achieve Popeye performance.  Conclusion - scientists suggest the supplement be restricted in professional sports....but not on cartoons.