Fruit and vegetables and cardiovascular disease: epidemiological evidence from the non-Western world

Observational studies have shown a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile in consumers of fruit and vegetables than in non-consumers. Fruit and vegetable intake is usually associated with lower levels of serum cholesterol1 and lower blood pressure2. Furthermore, the increase in cardiovascular risk factors with ageing tends to be slower in fruit and vegetable consumers3,4 resulting in less coronary and cerebrovascular events5–8.