Spinach Value

Spinach, since it is unpleasant and therefore regarded as nutritious, was long over-rated as a food source of Vitamin A (good for eyes), Vitamin C (good against infectious diseases and scurvy), iron (good for blood) and calcium (good for bones). Hence it is sold fresh, frozen, sieved & canned, dried & powdered, and powdered & compressed into tablets. Discussion of its merits has gone so far that the American Medical Association's Council on Foods decided to rejudge this best studied of all edible leaves.

Last week the Council on Foods reported its matured findings thus: "Spinach may be regarded as a rich source of Vitamin A and as a contributor of Vitamin C,* iron and roughage to the diet. It is therefore a valuable food. [But] the iron is not well utilized by infants . . . [and] the feeding of spinach is of no value during early infancy as a source of calcium."

*Drying spinach, however, completely destroys Vitamin C.

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