Many Europeans do not meet the recommendations for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Numerous studies have shown an association between the intake of these foods and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. An increased intake of fruits and vegetables has also been associated with decreased blood pressure. People can fill up on fresh fruit and vegetables because they are good sources of nutrients and the majority are naturally low in fat and calories.
Nutritionists are paying much more attention to fruits and
vegetables as "packages" of nutrients and other constituents that are
healthful for humans. The "antioxidant hypothesis" has drawn
attention to the role of micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables like
vitamins C and E , as well as a number of other natural protective substances.
The carotenes (beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene), the flavonoids (phenolic
compounds that are widespread in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables such
as apples and onions and beverages derived from plants like tea, cocoa and red
wine) and the phytoestrogens (principally isoflavones and lignans), are being
demonstrated to have beneficial roles in human health.
