As we celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, it’s a good time to remember some of the benefits of the only food group health experts everywhere agree we should eat more of every day – fruits and vegetables.  So let’s review some recent studies.

We must start with COVID-19.  While we are still learning about this virus, some initial studies about the benefits of healthy eating have been released.  In addition to the already-known benefit of improved immune function with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, a recent study has more definitively shown a correlation between obesity and its effect on COVID-19 risk, illness severity and the potential for diminished efficacy of therapeutic treatments. Decades of nutritional research has shown that a produce-rich diet can help individuals prevent obesity and weight gain since these foods are both low in calories and nutrient dense.

More Disease Prevention Study Findings

• If half of all Americans increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables by a single serving each day, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented annually.
• “Prescriptions” for fruits and veggies would prevent 1.93 million cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) and 350,000 deaths, as well as cut healthcare costs by $40 billion.
• Eating seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day reduced the risk of premature death by 42%, the risk of death from cancer by 25% and heart disease by 31%.
• Higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study findings also suggest that even a modest increase in consumption of these foods as part of a healthy diet could help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Improved Appearance

In additions to all these health benefits, peer reviewed studies have also shown a produce-rich diet can also improve your appearance.  It’s true.  Research has shown that fruits and vegetable consumption can enhance your skin’s complexion, strengthen and thicken hair and make teeth whiter.

Safety

Consumers can reach for organic or conventional produce with confidence in their safety.  An analysis by toxicologists with the Personal Chemical Exposure Program at the University of California found that a child could eat hundreds to thousands of servings of a fruit or vegetable in a day and still not have any health effects from residues, if residues are present at all.

#NoMoreDirtyDozen, #FactsNotFears, #Eat More Produce