Abstract
Epidemiologic evidence of a protective role for fruits and vegetables in cancer prevention
is substantial. The strength of this scientific base guides US national policymaking
in diet and health issues and facilitates community and local programs that address
national dietary goals to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Current scientific
evidence also suggests a protective role for fruits and vegetables in prevention of
coronary heart disease, and evidence is accumulating for a protective role in stroke.
In addition, a new scientific base is emerging to support a protective role for fruits
and vegetables in prevention of cataract formation, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, diverticulosis, and possibly, hypertension. This article provides an overview
of the health benefits associated with fruit and vegetable consumption for each of
these conditions, including brief discussions of underlying protective mechanisms,
identifies key scientific findings regarding the health benefits of fruit and vegetable
consumption, and outlines applications of these findings for dietetics professionals.
The evidence reviewed provides additional support for increased consumption of a wide
variety of vegetables, in particular, dark-green leafy, cruciferous, and deep-yellow-orange
ones, and a wide variety of fruits, in particular, citrus and deep-yellow-orange ones.
Continued attention to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a practical and
important way to optimize nutrition to reduce disease risk and maximize good health.
J Am Diet Assoc. 2000; 100:1511-1521.
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© 2000 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
