Researchers of a new study found that consuming five portions of fruits and vegetables is enough to lower death risks.
Previous studies have established that consuming more fruits and vegetables a day lowers risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Throwing more light on these findings, a new study suggests that five portions of fruits and vegetables is enough to ward off these risks.
The study was conducted by researchers from China and the United States on a total of 833,234 participants. During the study period, 56,423 deaths were reported. Researchers found a strong association between higher consumption of fruit and vegetables and lower risk of death from all causes, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. They noted that there was a 5 percent reduction in death risk 4 percent reduction in cardiovascular risk for each additional daily serving of fruit and vegetables consumed.
However, this risk reduction was observed only till the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables reached 5 portions. Surprisingly, higher consumption didn't reduce the risk of cancer or death further.
"This study provides further evidence that a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of mortality from all causes, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. The results support current recommendations to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables to promote health and longevity," the study researchers said in a press statement.
These findings debunk the findings of an earlier study conducted in April this year that suggested eating at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day may decrease the risk of dying from stroke, cancer, or heart disease by as much as 42 percent.
Earlier this year, researchers from the University College London said that a healthy diet should include 10 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, doubling the five-a-day official advice. Promoting the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, the researchers said that canned and frozen fruit increased the risk of dying by 17 per cent. Also, people who ate at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables each day were 42 per cent less likely to die from any cause over the course.
The researchers also pointed out that more quality research needed to be conducted to determine how multiple foods may interact to create healthy weight loss that can be maintained. The current recommended daily serving amount for adults is 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables, according to a CDC report.
The current study was published online in BMJ's Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
