More fruits and vegetables, less heart disease

I've written on many occasions about the positive effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on such conditions as oral cancer (News Bite 05/17/06) and gallbladder disease (09/12/06), as well as contributing disease factors like inflammatory markers (06/14/06) and DNA oxidation (08/01/06). A recent French meta-analysis of the results of several prospective studies has specifically examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) (J Nutr 2006;136:2588-2593).

The studies the scientists at University of Paris analyzed included nine cohorts, seven from the United States and two from Finland, with sample sizes ranging from 501 to over 75,000: a total of 91,379 men and 129,701 women. Each study assessed fruit and vegetable intake separately and included the number of servings eaten per day as part of the analysis.

The results are straightforward: each additional serving of fruit and vegetables per day reduces your risk of CHD by 4%. (An additional serving of fruit reduces your risk by 7%.) The researchers warn that the data does not support a direct relationship between fruit and vegetable intake alone and a reduced risk of CHD, but rather note that increased fruit and vegetable consumption is likely part of a healthier lifestyle that includes more exercise, less saturated fat intake, and not smoking.

What this means for you:

Fruits and vegetables are delicious both raw and cooked and are clearly linked to a healthier, longer life. Try a new recipe as part of increasing your intake:

Desserts: Poached Pears | Grilled Pineapple with Creamy Balsamic Sauce
Main Course: Butternut Squash Risotto | Eggplant Parmesan
Sides: Green Beans with Red Onion | Herbed Zucchini

First posted: October 20, 2006