Spinach Extract Improves Athletic Performance

Freie Universität Berlin Contributes to Research Project Backed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. No 193/2019 from Jun 25, 2019 According to a study conducted by a group of international researchers, including experts from Freie Universität Berlin, a chemical extract from spinach plants can be used to boost the performance of competitive athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commissioned researchers to study the effects of ecdysterone, a kind of phytosteroid, on strength training. Their findings indicate that the substance greatly affects muscle cells. Among the researchers who suggested that the WADA add ecdysterone to the list of prohibited substances was Maria Parr, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Freie Universität. Professor Parr specializes in pharmaceutical analytics and metabolism. Phytosteroids belong to the chemical class of substances known as sterols and can be found naturally in plants.