Feeling guilty about a severe lack of veg in your diet? Us too, which is why we're extremely grateful to McMaster University. Their researchers found that 3 significant portions of fruit and veg each day would boost life expectancy as well as five or more. Hallelujah.

Now comes the question about which veg you spend your hard-earned cash on. We take our two very best muscle-building accompaniments - spinach and kale - and subject them to the MH microscope.

In the red corner, sales of of Paltrow’s preferred veg has increased by 54% in the last year alone. Meanwhile in the blue, spinach has also seen a resurgence in popularity with sales up by over a third. But which green giant will triumph? We settle the score.

The hard numbers

Kale

1.5 mg iron per 100g, 120 mg vitamin C, 705mcg vitamin K

Spinach

2.7 mg iron per 100g, 28mg vitamin C, 482mcg vitamin K

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Endorsements

Kale

“Kale’s deep colour means there is a high concentration of nutrients, and that translates into a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects” – Deirdre Orceyre, naturopathic physician from George Washington University Medical Center.

Spinach

“Spinach is a healthy and inexpensive way of improving our intellectual capabilities” - Neuropsychologia journal

“I’m strong to the finish cos I eats me spinach” - Popeye the Sailor Man

An enemy to...

Kale

High blood pressure, Diabetes, Cancer, Depression

Spinach

High blood pressure, Diabetes, Cancer, Constipation

Cost

Kale

£4 per kilo – While fresh greens won’t break the bank, a kilo of organic kale chips weighs in closer to £65

Spinach

£4 per kilo – At identical supermarkets price points, this is a pretty tough contest to call. Veg your bets…

The MH verdict

While spinach boasts more iron than a Soviet-era gulag, it wilts in comparison to the cruciferous veg. You’re best off pairing a protein-rich steak with a side of the curly kind: its arsenal of immune-boosting, heart disease-fending and complexion-brightening micronutrients lifts it above its leafy rival. The king is dead. All hail the kale.

Words: Jack Hart

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