A longevity formula: Three vegetables plus two fruits a day
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New research upholds the longstanding advice to eat five fruits and vegetables a day.
Published online March 1, 2021, by the journal Circulation, the study pooled diet and mortality data from more than two million people, who were followed up to 30 years. People who ate two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily had a 12% lower risk of dying of cardiovascular disease compared with people who ate just two fruit or vegetable servings daily.
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, high intakes of which are linked to lower blood pressure. They also contain fiber and compounds called polyphenols that may discourage dangerous plaque buildup and blood clots. But starchy vegetables such as potatoes, peas, and corn didn’t offer the longevity benefits; nor did fruit juices. Healthier choices include leafy greens, carrots, berries, and citrus fruits.
Image: © carlosgaw/Getty ImagesAbout the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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