The world population is far from the nutritional recommendations of five fruits and vegetables per day. Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), low consumption of these foods is among the top ten risk factors for mortality. Still, most adults would need to double their intake of fruits and vegetables, say the authors of a study published by the British Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers at the Nutritional Health Institute of the American cosmetics company Amway analyzed the diets of people over the age of 18 in 70 countries around the world between 2002 and 2004. Their findings reveal that 60 to 87% of the population world consumes about 200 grams of fruits and vegetables. The WHO advises to eat 400 grams per day.
The organization also stresses the importance of varying the types of fruits and vegetables consumed, while the results of the study indicate a great lack of variety. “These results highlight a global need for increased awareness of the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and phytonutrient intakes,” said Keith Randolph, co-author of the study. In question, an intense rhythm of life, an excessively high cost, difficult meteorological and geographical conditions … which do not prevent the authors of the study from recalling the importance of a consumption of five fruits and vegetables per day in order to protect and maintain its health.
