Eating 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit per day as part of a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Vegetables and fruit can help reduce your risk of cancer

Fifteen of the world's leading researchers in diet and cancer recently reviewed more than 4,500 studies from around the world. Vegetables and fruit came out on top as the foods most likely to help reduce the risk of cancer. Researchers recommend that everyone should eat 5 or more servings a day, all year round.

Vegetables and fruit can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
Over the past two decades researchers have gained a better understanding of how different foods influence your risk of heart disease and stroke. Reducing the amount and type of fat in your diet has always been important, but only part of the answer. Considerable evidence now shows that eating more vegetables and fruit can also help reduce your risk.

How vegetables and fruit can help reduce the risk of disease
Vegetables and fruit appear to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke by providing protective substances such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre, as well as plant compounds called phytochemicals. For example, a diet high in vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of cancer by stopping normal cells from changing into cancerous cells. Vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of heart disease by protecting artery walls from damage. What's more, when you fill up on vegetables and fruit, you may not be as hungry for less healthy foods.

Are you eating 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruit each day? It's easier than you think! Find out , then take the challenge.

This material was taken from a Cancer Society web-site and has been a program that The Canadian Cancer Society began promoting in 1999-2000.