Popeye was right

It turns out that eating spinach really does make you stronger. But not, as has been thought, because of its high iron content. Recent research by Swedish scientists has found that an inorganic nitrate in the vegetable is what gives it its strength-giving power.

The researchers gave a dose of nitrate (equivalent to the amount found in a portion of spinach) to excersising volunteers. They found it reduced the volunteers' need for oxygen by improving the efficiency of the mitochondria that power cells.

So there you have it. Better start wolfing down spinach. Although perhaps not straight from a tin like Popeye. A more appetising alternative might be our baked hake fillet served on a bed of spinach in a butterbean and tomato casserole.