Mollet del Vallès, Spain—Spinach extract may have a positive effect on skeletal muscle fitness, making it a useful component in a healthy aging lifestyle, according to a small studyfrom the Sports Physiology Department at the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM).

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial gave 45 health men and women over the age of 50 either four 500mg capsules of Spisar spinach extract or a placebo daily. All subjects had to undertake three one-hour, moderate-intensity training sessions per week.

Spisar, a Euromed ingredient, comes from spinach leaves grown in Southern Spain, and is extracted using the Pure-Hydro Process, a proprietary, eco-friendly extraction technology, using only purified water as a solvent.

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While all participants had improved muscle strength and quality by the end of the 12-week session, muscle quality improved more in the Spisar group, and muscle strength improved significantly more in the Spisar group, as compared with the placebo. Muscle mass and quality of life improved in the Spisar group as well, albeit not significantly.

Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communications & Marketing, Euromed, said in a press release: “In an ever-aging society, it is of major importance to maintain mobility and overall wellbeing for as long as possible. Our spinach extract can contribute to that in an entirely natural but efficient way, and therefore allows manufacturers to react to emerging market demand for muscle fitness safe ingredients that can be used by a wider age-range.”