e-Library of Evidence for Nutrition Actions (eLENA)


An online library of evidence-informed guidelines for nutrition interventions and single point of reference for the latest nutrition guidelines, recommendations and related information.

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Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases

Intervention | Last updated: 25 April 2023


Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. Reduced fruit and vegetable consumption is linked to poor health and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). An estimated 3.9 million deaths worldwide were attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in 2017.

Including fruits and vegetables as part of the daily diet may reduce the risk of some NCDs including cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. More limited evidence suggests that when consumed as part of a healthy diet low in fat, sugars and salt/sodium, fruits and vegetables may also help to prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity, an independent risk-factor for NCDs.

Moreover, fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and minerals, dietary fibre and a host of beneficial non-nutrient substances including plant sterols, flavonoids and other antioxidants and consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables helps to ensure an adequate intake of many of these essential nutrients.

WHO Recommendations


As part of a healthy diet low in fat, sugars and sodium, WHO suggests consuming more than 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day to improve overall health and reduce the risk of certain NCDs.

Evidence


Related Cochrane reviews


Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Hartley L, Igbinedion E, Holmes J, Flowers N, Thorogood M, Clarke A, et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013; Issue 6. Art. No.: CD009874.

Summary of this review Alternate Text

Other related systematic reviews


Relationship of fruit and vegetable intake with adiposity: a systematic review

Ledoux TA, Hingle MD, Baranowski T. Obesity Reviews. 2011; 12(5):e143-50.


Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality-a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Aune D, Giovannucci E, Boffetta P, Fadnes LT, Keum N, Norat T, et al.Int J Epidemiol. 2017;46(3):1029-1056.


Increased fruit and vegetable intake has no discernible effect on weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kaiser KA, Brown AW, Bohan Brown MM, Shikany JM, Mattes RD, Allison DB. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014; 100(2):567-76.


Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective

World Cancer Research Fund, American Institute for Cancer Research. AICR, Washington D.C. 2007.


Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Wang X, Ouyang Y, Liu J, Zhu M, Zhao G, Bao W, Hu FB. BMJ. 2014; 349:g4490.


Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Li M, Fan Y, Zhang X, Hou W, Tang Z. BMJ Open. 2014; 4(11):e005497.


Fruit and vegetable intake and type 2 diabetes: EPIC-InterAct prospective study and meta-analysis

Cooper AJ, Forouhi NG, Ye Z, Buijsse B, Arriola L, Balkau B et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012; 66(10):1082-92.


Fruits and vegetables consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Hu D, Huang J, Wang Y, Zhang D, Qu Y. Stroke. 2014; 45(6):1613-9.


Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of increased vegetable and fruit consumption on body weight and energy intake

Mytton OT, Nnoaham K, Eyles H, Scarborough P, Ni Mhurchu C. BMC Public Health. 2014; 14:886.


Cost-effectiveness Learn More Alternate Text


Cost-effectiveness analyses


Cost-effectiveness of interventions to promote fruit and vegetable consumption

Cobiac LJ, Vos T, Veerman JL. PLoS One. 2010 Nov; 5(11):e14148.


Taxes and subsidies for improving diet and population health in Australia: a cost-effectiveness modelling study

Cobiac LJ, Tam K, Veerman L, Blakely T. PLoS Med. 2017; 14(2):e1002232.


Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption: a cost-effectiveness analysis of public policies

Dallongeville J, Dauchet L, de Mouzon O, Réquillart V, Soler LG. Eur J Public Health. 2011; 21(1):69-73.


Time to give nutrition interventions a higher profile: cost-effectiveness of 10 nutrition interventions

Dalziel K, Segal L. Health Promot Int. 2007; 22(4):271-83.