Insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables annually causes nearly 3 million deaths from cardiometabolic diseases and more than 70 million years of healthy life lost worldwide. Researchers have proposed a simple portion system to facilitate diet composition, reports infohub.kz.
A review published in the journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications confirms that regular consumption of vegetables and fruits reduces the risk of cardiovascular pathologies. According to researchers led by R. Jayawardena, meta-analyses of controlled studies and cohort observations demonstrate a direct link between intake of these products and improved lipid profile, reduced systemic inflammation, and strengthened vascular wall.
To facilitate the adoption of healthy dietary habits, the authors developed a simple portion system based on carbohydrate composition: one fruit portion contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates (60 kilocalories), and one vegetable portion about 5 grams of carbohydrates (25 kilocalories). This approach, according to the scientists, allows flexible adaptation of the diet at both individual and population levels.