Low ischaemic heart disease mortality risk is associated with generous intake of fruits and vegetables.
This study investigated the association between high dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and the incidence of deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Researchers tracked dietary and mortality records of 313,074 men and women without any previous history of myocardial infarction and stroke recruited from 8 different European countries.
The team of investigators discovered that regular consumption of 8 portions (80g per portion) of fruits and vegetables reduce the likelihood of developing fatal ischaemic heart disease by 22%. A 4% reduction in fatal ischaemic heart disease risk was found in subjects who consumed an additional portion of fruits and vegetables. Data from this study suggest that habitual consumption of large servings of fruits and vegetables may decrease the incidence of deaths due to ischaemic heart disease.