A Further Note on the Antirachitic Value of Fresh Spinach

Abstract

Spinach "as purchased," spinach "sunned" after purchase, and spinach picked at noon after exposure to morning sunlight were used as supplements to McCollum''s 3143 low P, rickets-producing diet for young rats and rabbits. Slight, but definite, influence upon calcification was demonstrated, the effect, however, being far short of that produced by cod-liver oil. Since no difference in effect could be noted between the 3 types of spinach, it is concluded that vitamin D is not rapidly removed from spinach in darkness.