Eating loads of fruit and vegetables – 10 portions a day – could prevent 7.8 million premature deaths each year and may give us longer lives, say researchers from Imperial College London.
The team also identified specific fruit and veg that reduced the risk of cancer and heart disease.
The conclusions were made by pooling data on 95 separate studies, involving two million people’s eating habits.
Lower risks of cancer were linked to eating:
green veg (eg spinach)
yellow veg (eg peppers)
cruciferous vegetables (eg cauliflower).
Lower risks of heart disease and strokes were linked to eating:
apples
pears
citrus fruits
salads
green leafy vegetables (eg lettuce)
cruciferous veg
Compared with eating no fruit or veg a day, it showed:
200g cut the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13% while 800g cut the risk by 28%
200g cut the risk of cancer by 4%, while 800g cut the risk by 13%
200g cut the risk of a premature death by 15%, while 800g cut the risk by 31%
By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
