New research out of the Netherlands has shown that consumption of high levels of white fruits and vegetables may reduce stroke risk. Food consumption was recorded using a food frequency questionaire for ~20,000 subjects (male and female). Fruits and vegetables were separated into 4 color categories by the color of the main edible portion of the fruit or vegetable: green, yellow/orange, red/purple, and white. Consumption of white fruits and vegetables were found to be inversely proportional to incidence of stroke. No relationship was found between other color categories and stroke risk.
This seems to contradict previous studies on the health benefits of pigmented bioactive compounds found in grapes and dark leafy greens. Red grapes have been shown to reduce inflammation, which might transiently reduce the risk of stroke. It is plausible to suggest that perhaps the compounds present in white fruits and vegetables are better at reducing chronic low levels of inflammation than fruits and vegetables of other colors. Perhaps an apple a day really does keep the doctor away?
Chuang CC, Martinez K, Xie G, Kennedy A, Bumrungpert A, Overman A, Jia W, McIntosh MK. Quercetin is equally or more effective than resveratrol in attenuating tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in primary human adipocytes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Dec;92(6):1511-21. Epub 2010 Oct 13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20943792
Oude Griep LM, Verschuren WM, Kromhout D, Ocké MC, Geleijnse JM. Colors of Fruit and Vegetables and 10-Year Incidence of Stroke. Stroke. 2011 Sep 15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21921279
Very interesting research. Articles in health magazines today seem to focus so much on the current trends in healthy food. Every month there seems to be a new nut, vegetable or fruit that can miraculously solve all of your problems. I believe that the only way to ensure you receive the essential nutrients is to mix up your diet and not focus solely on the one "super food" of the moment. By practicing diversity in your diet you provide your body with the right amount of vitamins and minerals needed to function efficiently.
ReplyDelete