Diversifying plant foods – adding in more wholegrains, nuts and pulses – could provide more health benefits than aiming for higher fruit and veg intake, say researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.
The researchers, who reviewed 16 large-scale studies on the effects on fruit and vegetables involving 833,000 people, found that health benefits tailed off once five fruit and veg servings were achieved. So, while eating five portions had a measurable benefit – with each daily portion reducing the risk of dying by 5% – beyond that, further benefits were not observed.
Lead researcher, Professor Frank Hu, said that one reason why the health benefits of fruits and vegetables level out is because digestibility and nutrient absorption may plateau at a certain point – coincidentally at 5-a-day.
He added: “In this situation, people may want to consider increasing consumption of other healthy foods like whole grains, nuts, legumes, and so on. Diversifying plant-based foods is likely to increase the overall health benefits and make the diets more interesting.”
