Children and adults alike have always been told to eat their vegetables. It has long been known that vegetables contain many essential vitamins and proteins that are beneficial to our bodys. But does anyone truly know just how necessary these yucky green plants are to our bodys? If there are any people who understand the benefits of vegetables, Popeye the Sailor definitely falls under this category.
For years, Popeye has been chugging down his cans of Spinach, which have never failed to provide him with all the strength and energy required to be the main character of a television series. But how realistic are the benefits of Popeye's eating habits?
A new study from engineering researchers at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute shows, for the first time, the benefits of spinach and broccoli for our bones. In essence, this study reveals how the little-understood protein
osteocalcin plays a significant role in the strength of our bones.
Diagram portraying role of osteocalcin in bone (showing origins of bone fractures):
The significance in this study lies in the fact that it is the first study to ever implicate the role of osteocalcin in giving bone the ability to resist fracture. Since osteocalcin is always the point of fracture, strengthening this protein could lead to the overall strengthening of the bone. However, osteocalcin is also associated with Type 2 Diabetes and problems in reproductive health as well.
Thus, this study is not only promising for the strengthening of bones, but also for a better means of treating Type 2 diabetes and reproductive health issues.
The findings of this research study are very promising, and could lead to new strategies and therapeutics for fighting
osteoporosis and lowering the risks and pain associated with bone fractures.
- Sam Choi
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