New study says five daily servings of fruit and vegetables isn't enough

[quinnox]

Most of us are familiar with the five-a-day suggested servings of fruit and vegetables the World Health Organization introduced in the '90s. Eating that amount was supposed to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. But a new study published Monday in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health says forget the five servings and try to eat at least seven if you want to improve your overall health.

Scientists from the University College London looked at data concerning fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality from a 12-year period for more than 65,000 people over the age of 35.

They found that participants ate on average 3.8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, with a serving being three ounces. Those who ate more fruit and vegetables were found to have a lower body-mass index. Participants' salt, fat and total caloric intake were not analyzed.

Researchers concluded that people who ate at least seven servings of fruit and vegetables a day had a 42% lower risk of premature death than people who ate less than one serving a day.

"The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age," The study’s lead author, Dr Oyinlola Oyebode of UCL's department of epidemiology and public health, told the Telegraph. "My advice would be however much you are eating now, eat more."

http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-study-eat-7-servings-fruit-vegetables-not-5-20140401,0,3586806.story#ixzz2xfcA00k4


I have been eating vegetables lately, and I never did before. This is very important I think.

[hlthe2b]

1. I can probably accomplish that in the summertime. Winter is a lot harder, though.

The 1 serving size expected for most fruits and vegetables is quite small though.

[leftstreet]

2. Are hops a vegetable? n/t

[Shrike47]

3. It's hard piling all that broccoli on my doughnuts, but I keep trying.

[Historic NY]

8. I've been eating a river of broccoli....

[targetpractice]

4. This is the first April Fool's joke I've fallen for today. Well played. n/t

[quinnox]

5. lol, unfortunately for you, it is not an April Fool's

We have to start eating more veggies, people. If you care about your health at all, just consider it like medicine, and force it down, if you don't like them.

[RebelOne]

6. I drink two glasses of V-8 in the morning,

and my yogurt has fruit at the bottom. Does that count? I know I do not eat enough fruit and vegetables. I am a vegetarian, but I love pasta.

[quinnox]

7. It's better than nothing

These days, you can buy special healthy drinks that are made from fruits and vegetables, and drink your fruits and veggies that way. There are no longer any excuses.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. One of our favorite beverages at mealtime is 100% fruit juice of some kind

mixed about 30-70 with sparkling water.

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. I have one suggestion to accomplish this...

Smoothies. I bought a NutraBullet and started making Green Smoothies with Kale and strawberries blueberries etc. I also use Chia seeds, Walnuts, Yogurt, pumpkin seeds etc. I have never eaten so many fruits and veggies....

[Jackpine Radical]

11. We do that too' unfortunately, we tend to go in streaks.

For a month or 2 we make smoothies every day (frozen banana, blueberries, kale, lamb's quarter leaves, etc.) & then we slack off & don't do it very often for a while. Then we get a resurgence of determination & get back on the Smoothie Wagon.