Just when we were getting used to the “5 a day” formula for healthy eating, researchers at University College London came to a different conclusion. “7 a day” – that is, 7 servings of fruits and vegetables should be at least (one serving is about a handful). The results of the study are impressive when you look at the specific numbers: 7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day reduce the risk of death by 42%.
The findings come from an observational study between 2001 to 2008 of 65,226 Britons in which dietary behavior was recorded. Factors such as age, BMI, gender, socioeconomic status, cigarette and alcohol consumption were also considered. The published result suggests that diet is directly related to mortality rates. The more fruits and vegetables the test subjects ate, the stronger the health-promoting effect seemed to be. So much for the theory.
Less than 10 % of adults eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
However, a study by the Robert Koch Institute shows a different picture of our reality: most people don’t even manage the 5 portions already recommended. The motto “5 a day” has already been propagated to promote healthy eating in many countries around the world. Until today, little has changed – unfortunately, one has to be that honest.
Practical tips on how to achieve this:
The question therefore arises as to whether, instead of setting unrealistic (new) standards, we should look at how we can motivate ourselves personally to eat more fruit and vegetables – without immediately giving up in frustration because we can’t reach the recommendation. Because what the new study also proves is: every little bit more green stuff is great! 1-3 servings daily reduce the risk of death by about 14%.
Achieve big goals with small steps!
So next time cut a cucumber into appetizing pieces and put them on the desk. Or: randomly place on the coffee table while watching TV. Bet the healthy snack will be plastered afterwards? A little salad here, a few apple slices there, a dinner with a side of vegetables – you’re closer to your goal. If you then toast your success with a bottle of VABO-N, you have an optimal mix of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, mangosteen, aloe vera, acerola and resveratrol. In this sense: Here’s to health!
SOURCES:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0414/010413-fruit-veg-consumption-death-risk
http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2014/03/03/jech-2013-203500.full http://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Gesundheitsberichterstattung/GBEDownloadsK/2011_6_Obst_gemuese.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
http://www.5amtag.de