According to a new study from the Karolinska Institute, the nitrates that appear naturally in spinach have a highly positive effect in building muscle strength. At least in mice. The mice were given nitrates through their drinking water and had after only a week developed stronger muscles in their hind legs and feet, compared to mice that weren’t being fed nitrates.

Researchers believe the explanation is that nitrates increase the presence of two sorts of proteins in the muscles, and they now want to continue to see if this discovery can aid people with muscle weakness. The equivalent daily intake of the nitrates given to mice is approximately the same as 200 to 300 grams of fresh spinach for people.

Read the article at Karolinska Institutet: Solved at last - why spinach makes us strong