New peer reviewed research again shows the immense health benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. A study among 60,000 seniors published in the journal, BMC Medicine, found that eating a Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of developing dementia by one-quarter, even if the individuals were at a higher genetic risk.  The Med diet is plant-based and includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and seafood.

This study adds to the decades of nutrition and health research which shows eating lots of fruits and vegetables improves physical and mental health, prevents diseases and increases lifespan.  Most of these studies were conducted using conventionally grown produce.

Following the Med diet includes consuming two or more servings of vegetables and three or more servings of fruit per day and three or more servings of legumes and fish per week.  Other studies have found that the Med diet also lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, promotes weight loss and maintenance and may ease depression.

When the health benefits are so significant, why would anyone or any group work to raise inaccurate safety fears about consuming the more affordable and accessible fruits and vegetables, especially during a time when we are experiencing inflation and rising costs and expenses?

With only one in 10 of us eating enough fruits and vegetables a day, it would seem individuals or organizations concerned about public health would join in efforts to increase consumption versus engaging in misinformation tactics that disparage the most popular produce items and have been shown to discourage consumption.

Consumers should simply follow the advice of nutritionists and health experts everywhere and eat the fruits and vegetables you and your family enjoy and is affordable and accessible to you but always choose to eat more.  This new study regarding cognitive benefits underscores that advice.

#NoMoreDirtyDozen