Fruit, vegetable, and antioxidant intake and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality in a community-dwelling population in Washington County, Maryland.

A decline in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and total mortality risk is associated with consistent consumption of fruits and vegetables.

This study evaluated the association between the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidant-rich foods and mortality risk. Researchers examined the dietary and mortality records of over 6,000 subjects residing in Washington County, Maryland.

Researchers discovered that generous intake of fruits and vegetables decreased the odds of dying from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other causes. However, increased consumption of diets high in antioxidant-rich nutrients, such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and E was found to have little or no effect on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality risk. The findings of this study reveal that high consumers of fruits and vegetables are less prone to suffer from deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other causes.