Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables loaded with carotenoids may markedly decrease the incidence of cardiovascular mortality among the elderly.
This study evaluated the relationship between the intake of carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables and the probability of dying from cardiovascular disease among older adults. Researchers studied the dietary choices and mortality records of the 1,299 US men and women for nearly 5 years. During the course of the study, 166 deaths were recorded.
Researchers observed low cardiovascular mortality rates among enthusiastic consumers of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids. This study suggests that elderly men and women who follow a dietary pattern that encourages the ingestion of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids are less likely to suffer from deaths arising from cardiovascular disease.