Professor of Plants; “Spinach is a very useful vegetable in terms of vitamins A, C, K and other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants”

Stating that the false belief that spinach is rich in iron is based on a scientific mistake made in the 1930s, Aysun Bay, Professor of Plants, said, “This misinformation spread rapidly with the effect of the Popeye cartoon. However, spinach still remains an important part of a healthy diet with its vitamins A, C, K and minerals.”

Spinach, made famous worldwide by the Popeye character, has a wide production network in Turkey. This nutritious vegetable, which loves cool climates, is grown in many cities, especially in the Marmara, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Mediterranean regions.

A misconception that spinach is rich in iron was based on a scientific mistake made in the 1930s. With the influence of the Popeye cartoon, this misinformation spread rapidly. However, spinach is still an important part of a healthy diet with its vitamins A, C, K and minerals.

Spinach, which is cultivated intensively especially in the fall and spring, continues to be an indispensable part of the tables in many regions of Turkey.

Spinach's accidental rise to fame

Towards the end of the 19th century, scientists began to investigate the content of foods, Prof. Dr. Aysun Bay said that in a laboratory study conducted in the 1870s, the iron content of spinach was analyzed and the results were recorded by mistake. Karabulut said that as a result of an error, the amount of iron contained in spinach was recorded as 10 times higher than it was, and added: “At that time, a scientific error was not noticed and for many years spinach was known as an extraordinarily rich vegetable in iron.

This mistake caused the health benefits of spinach to be exaggerated and it became legendary for its nutritional properties. By the 1930s, this mistake had been realized, but spinach's fame had already spread and public perception did not change easily. It was during this period that a figure emerged who further enhanced the fame of the misunderstanding of spinach: Popeye.”

Popeye and Spinach

In 1929, the character Popeye, created by American illustrator Elzie Crisler Segar, became popular around the world in a short time, Prof. Dr. Bay said, “Popeye would eat a can of spinach every time he was weak and would instantly gain great strength and defeat his enemies. This led to the recognition of spinach as a “superfood” among children. The fact that Popeye gains strength every time he eats spinach was actually a reference to the amount of iron in spinach by the developers of the comic strip. This further popularized spinach as a symbol of strength and children around the world were encouraged to eat the vegetable. From the 1930s onwards, the popularity of Popeye increased spinach consumption in America by 30 percent.”

Spinach consumption and urban myths

Aysun Bay, Professor of Herbalism, explained that the character of Popeye gaining power with spinach was very effective: “In the USA, settlements such as Crystal City, Texas, declared themselves ‘Spinach Capital’. A statue of Popeye was erected in this town and the place of spinach in American culture was reinforced. Even today, Crystal City organizes festivals dedicated to Popeye.”

Scientific Validation

Explaining that more sensitive laboratory analysis in 1937 revealed that the amount of iron contained in spinach was not actually that high, Prof. Dr. Bay said, “As a result of an error, it turned out that this situation was exaggerated. However, at this point, the fame of spinach had already become permanent. Nevertheless, spinach is still considered a very healthy vegetable in terms of the other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it contains. It is particularly rich in folic acid, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Although spinach does not have a long history in Anatolia, it quickly gained acceptance in this region and became an important part of the culinary culture. Spinach, which is thought to originate from Central Asia, was first brought to Iran and then to Anatolia through the Islamic world. It became more widespread during the Ottoman period and over time became a popular vegetable in both rural and urban life.”

The legendary power of spinach

Stating that in some parts of Anatolia there were legends that spinach gave people extraordinary powers, Prof. Dr. Bay said, “These stories were especially common among agricultural workers and farmers. It was said that people who ate spinach could work more in the field and were less tired. Especially those who worked in jobs that relied on muscle power would drink a bowl of spinach soup after finishing their work, believing that it would give them extra strength. This story is probably related to misunderstandings about the iron content of spinach. In some Anatolian tales, a female figure is associated with the power of spinach. In one of these stories, an old woman gives a sick child a magical recipe for healing: “Boil the spinach you have dug out of the deepest part of the earth, drink the water and crush the leaves and put them on the child's chest.” This recipe cured the child and since then spinach has been known as a medicinal plant.”

Spinach and the Anatolian table

Stating that spinach is the main ingredient of both simple and delicious dishes in the culinary culture of Anatolia, Aysun Bay, Professor of Herbs, said: “Some traditional Anatolian spinach dishes include Spinach Flatbread, Spinach Borani, Spinach Fritters, Spinach Stew and Soups, Spinach with Olive Oil and Yogurt, Spinach Pilaf with Spinach and Spinach Soup.

Spinach Today

“Today, spinach is still consumed as an important nutrient in many cultures around the world,” Bay said, adding that although the iron content of spinach was initially misrecorded, this has not overshadowed its overall health benefits. Although it is relatively modest in terms of iron, it is among the indispensable vegetables of the modern diet because it contains many other nutrients that strengthen the immune system and support overall health. It is a plant known as a cold season vegetable with high nutritional value. Spinach, which contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, is very beneficial for health, is used in various dishes and can be consumed both cooked and raw. Spinach is a vegetable that can be grown in many parts of the world and is widely produced in Turkey.”