Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Guidelines

What are the right fruit and vegetable dietary guidelines? Current dietary guidelines recommend people eat five servings of fruits or vegetables every day. New data however, suggest that seven servings may be better. In a study of over 65,000 men and women, researchers from the University College London found that the risk of premature death decreased 42% by eating more fruits and vegetables. Consuming fresh vegetables provided the greatest benefit followed next by salad and then fruit. Fruit juice conferred no benefit and canned fruit appeared to increase the risk of death most likely because canned fruit is packed in sugary syrup. Few of us eat the recommended five a day, let alone seven portions of fruits and vegetables yet the protective effect appears clear and may be due to antioxidants, micronutrients and fiber contained in fruits and vegetables all of which are good for maintaining health.