Ebook Why Fruits and Vegetables? Their contribution to improving nutrition in Developing countries
There is a lot of evidence showing that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is good for our health. Over the past 30 years or so, researchers have developed a solid base of science to back up what generations of mothers preached. Encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables is at the top of nutrition education strategies. For years FAO has been actively facilitating the process for increasing supply, access and consumption of an adequate quantity, quality and variety of foods including fruits and vegetables for all population groups. FAO promotes and supports food based programmes and strategies to improve food security and nutrition so that all people can obtain a variety of foods as well as fruits and vegetables and meet requirements for energy, macro and micronutrients to achieve a healthy and productive life.
Diets high in vegetables are fruits contribute to anti oxidants which are associated with a reduced cancer and cardiovascular risk. Thus eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help to ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer, avoid diverticulitis and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, two common causes of vision loss. Still, most populations are not consuming nearly enough, according to the FAO/WHO Expert Report on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is therefore a major public health challenge to nutritionists, health professionals and consumers. The rise of such non-communicable diseases in both wealthy nations and poorer countries is partly due to declining physical activity and excessive food energy intake. But WHO attributes approximately 3 million deaths a year from such diseases to inadequate fruit and vegetable intake — a risk factor almost as deadly as tobacco use or unsafe sex.
This paper will provide: (a) an overview of the expanding and diversifying fruit and vegetable supplies worldwide and in the region; (b) review the nutritional importance of fruits and vegetables; (c) provide a case for promoting its use in the daily diet; and (d) suggest evidence based strategies for promoting fruits and vegetables in improving food security and nutrition.
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