Vegetable and fruit: the evidence in their favour and the public health perspective.
There is strong evidence that the intake of vegetables and fruits reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is inversely associated with several forms of cancer. In contrast, information concerning specific macro- or micronutrients in relation to chronic diseases is limited and largely inconclusive. The beneficial role of vegetable and fruit consumption can also be inferred by considering the health effects of two dietary patterns, the Mediterranean and Japanese ones, in both of which the consumption of plant foods holds a prominent position. Time-trend data, retrieved from the DAFNE databank on the vegetable and fruit availability in four European countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy and Norway) indicate that, during the last decade, fruit availability decreased in Greece and Italy and increased in Ireland and Norway, whereas vegetable availability decreased only in Italy. In Greece, Italy and Norway, the daily fruit availability was higher than that of vegetables, a dietary pattern not in accordance to recommendations for higher vegetable consumption. This information, which is crucial for nutrition policies and health education, also demonstrates the value of the DAFNE surveillance system.
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece. antonia@nut.uoa.gr
Antonia
A
Trichopoulou
Androniki
A
Naska
Anna
A
Antoniou
Sharon
S
Friel
Kerstin
K
Trygg
Aida
A
Turrini
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019992:Databases as Topic; D004032:Diet; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005638:Fruit; D006115:Greece; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007558:Italy; D007564:Japan; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009664:Norway; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011634:Public Health; D014675:Vegetables