A systematic review investigated the associations between daily consumption of nitrates from vegetables and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, as well as associated mortality. Based on the search of 7 databases, 5 studies involving 63,155 participants were selected. The main sources of nitrates included several green leafy vegetables, as well as other vegetables and starches. The results demonstrate an inverse association between the consumption of plant-based nitrates and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The benefits of this consumption are observed with modest increases in nitrate intake from vegetables. The findings of this study suggest that adding one serving per day of vegetables rich in nitrates could be an effective strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Randomized controlled trials are needed to support these findings.
A prospective cohort study examined the links between dietary habits and gout risk. This work includes data from 122,679 participants involved in the Health Professionals Follow-up and Nurses’ Health Studies. Their dietary intakes were assessed using a global plant-based diet index and its healthy and unhealthy variations. During the follow-up, 2,709 participants reported suffering from gout. The overall plant food index was not significantly associated with the disease. Pooled analysis showed that the healthy plant diet index was inversely associated with gout risk, while the unhealthy plant diet index was positively associated, especially in women. Food group analysis reported that higher intakes of wholegrain cereals, tea, coffee and dairy products were associated with a lower risk of gout. Conversely, consumption of fruit juices and sweetened beverages was associated with a higher risk. The results of this study support dietary recommendations aimed at vegetalizing the diet by increasing the consumption of healthy plant foods.
People suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease frequently implement exclusion diets without medical support. To identify the foods most frequently avoided, a cross-sectional study was carried out on 145 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Food consumption and eating habits were determined using questionnaires administered by telephone interview. Disease progression and symptoms were assessed using indices specific to each pathology. According to this work, 69.7% of patients reported excluding certain foods, the most frequently avoided being citrus fruits and raw vegetables. Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables was associated with a 44% reduction in the prevalence of the active phase of the disease. These results suggest that fruit and vegetables play a protective role against the progression and evolution of inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, it seems essential to improve patient support for a diversified and less restrictive diet.
A recent study examined the relationship between the parenting style of 211 African American parents and the eating habits of their children (aged 10-17). The frequency of consumption of different food groups was determined on the basis of an online survey on teenagers and compared with US dietary recommendations. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire to determine their parenting style and practices. The results show that authoritative parenting practices significantly reduce the likelihood of adhering to dietary recommendations regarding fruit. On the other hand, children whose parents have a high level of education are more likely to adhere to fruit recommendations. Regarding vegetable consumption, authoritative and monitoring practices have a positive impact on the adherence to recommendations. These results underline the importance of educational style in the development of healthy eating behaviors in adolescents.
A prospective cohort study examined the influence of fruit and vegetable consumption over the lifetime on the likelihood of depressive symptoms in later life. A total of 13,738 adults from the Singapore Chinese Health Study took part in this study. Dietary habits were monitored using several food frequency questionnaires administered during the study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale during follow-up interviews. After an average follow-up of 19.6 years, depressive symptoms were identified in 3,180 participants. Fruit consumption was inversely associated with the likelihood of depressive symptoms, with a dose-response effect. Several fruits such as oranges, mandarins, bananas, papayas and watermelon were associated with a reduced risk of depression. No association was reported between vegetable consumption and the likelihood of depressive symptoms. These results support dietary recommendations for sufficient fruit consumption throughout life.
