Or, could it be we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables? Does that sound like a "too-easy" answer? A study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found it could be the answer. This study found adults ages
Or, could it be we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables? Does that sound like a "too-easy" answer? A study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found it could be the answer. This study found adults ages 65 to 85 who consumed five "free-choice" servings of fruits or vegetables per day for 16 weeks improved their immune response.
"Free-choice" servings meant the participants were not fed a research diet with all eating the same fruits and vegetables. Rather, each individual were able to select their own fruits and vegetables as long as they included a wide variety of both.
We have known for a long time about the relationship between nutrition and a healthy well-being in older adults. We also know older adults are extremely deficient in their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Studies indicate 80 percent of older Americans do not get adequate portions of fruits and vegetables daily.
This deficiency can result in a "phytonutrient gap." Phytonutrients have health-protective qualities. The phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables provide immune-boosting antioxidants.
These antioxidants provide protection against certain types of cancers, hearth disease, stroke, and macular degeneration. They can also help avoid cold and flu infections. Previous studies support this, and we know vitamin C and carotenoids assist with immune function. But, this is the first study which showed a positive relationship between immune response and a "free-choice" diet of fruits and vegetables.
The bottom line is to eat at least 5 portions of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables a day. If you can include more servings each day, it is even better. The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet suggests a total of 8 to 10 daily servings to lower blood pressure. Include as much variety and color as possible to g