How Do Fruits and Veggies Love Us? Let Us Count the Ways
By Christine Sadlowski

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH

The oft-cited five servings per day of fruits and vegetables was the optimal amount for limiting overall and cardiovascular mortality, but not cancer mortality, in a BMJ meta-analysis.

Culling data from 16 prospective, observational studies conducted since 1950, researchers found that the more fruits and vegetables people consumed each day (up to five total servings), the lower the risk for all-cause mortality. (A serving was defined as roughly 80 g, or 2.8 oz., of fruit or vegetable.)

In particular, for consumption of five servings versus no servings daily, the hazard ratio was 0.74 for all-cause mortality. Two servings of fruit and three of vegetables appeared to provide optimal benefits. In addition, each fruit or vegetable serving was associated with a 4% reduction in cardiovascular mortality. There was no significant association with cancer mortality.

Reposted from NEJM, Journal Watch, July 2014.

– See more at: free BMJ article