Scientists at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found in a new study that eating just a small amount of fruits and vegetables a day can have the same health benefits as walking an extra 4,000 steps a day. This study highlights the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining good health.
This study analysed data from the Health Study and the Health Professional Follow-up Study, covering more than 100,000 participants. These studies are long-term investigations of chronic disease risk factors. The researchers looked at the participants' daily diet and physical activity levels and measured their risk of major chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
The results showed that people who consumed five servings of fruits and vegetables per day had a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who consumed only two or fewer servings per day. Similarly, people who walk an extra 4,000 steps a day have a 16-18% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who walk less.
Notably, the study also found that consuming more than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day did not further reduce the risk of death. This suggests that there may be a threshold beyond which additional intake would be of little benefit.
The results of this study have important implications for public health. Many people struggle to reach the recommended daily intake of five servings of fruits and vegetables. However, this study shows that consuming just a few servings per day can have significant health benefits.
The study also highlights the importance of a holistic approach to health, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity. While taking an extra 4,000 steps a day can be challenging for some people, consuming small amounts of fruits and vegetables each day is a relatively simple and achievable goal that can have a significant impact on health.
Therefore, diet and physical activity are essential in maintaining good health. By making small changes to our diet and lifestyle, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, we can improve our overall health and reduce our risk of chronic diseases.
This is an action that each of us can and should take.