Looks like Popeye had the right idea! Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that a bowl of spinach every day increases muscle efficiency. In the study, participants who consumed 300 grams of spinach a day reduced the amount of oxygen required to power their muscles while exercising by five percent – after just three days of spinach consumption.

We bet Popeye would have gone cray for this lean, green, smoothie routine. Spinach and a few other unconventional additions pair up surprisingly perfect.

Popeye’s Passion:

2 scoops Creamy Vanilla NeoLifeShake
1 C raw spinach
1 C raw kale
2 oz apple juice, unsweetened
¼ of fresh avocado
6 ice cubes
6 oz water

Blend all the ingredients together until thick, creamy, and smooth – about 2 minutes.
Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed and enjoy!
Calories per serving: 313

Source: Natural Society: Spinach can Help Fine-Tune Physical Fitness, Develop Muscular Strength