31 Jul Increase Fruits and Vegetables, Decrease Cardiovascular Mortality

Posted at 20:34h in Author Interviews, BMJ, Heart Disease, Nutrition by

Prof. Frank B Hu Department of Nutrition Department of Epidemiology Harvard School of Public HealthMedicalResearch.com Interview Invitation
Prof. Frank B Hu
Department of Nutrition
Department of Epidemiology
Harvard School of Public Health


Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?

Prof. Hu: We found that increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of mortality, especially cardiovascular mortality. The largest reduction in mortality can be achieved at 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables.

Medical Research: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Prof. Hu:  Not really.  Previous studies have already found health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables. However, this is the first study to quantify the effects of fruits and vegetables on mortality in a meta-analysis.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Prof. Hu:  The takeaway message is that individuals should increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables to 5 servings per day to achieve the maxium health benefits.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Prof. Hu: Future research should examine the effects of different types of fruits and vegetables on various health outcomes.  Also, it would be useful to look at specific types of cancer in addition to total cancer mortality.

Citation:

Wang Xia, Ouyang Yingying, Liu Jun, Zhu Minmin, Zhao Gang, Bao Wei et al. Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies BMJ 2014; 349:g4490

 

Last Updated on July 31, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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