Greater Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Is Associated With Lower Prevalence of Peripheral Artery Disease.

Increased intake of fruits and vegetables may decrease an individual's predisposition to peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

​This study evaluated regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (F & V) in relation to the development of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). With the aid of validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers collected and assessed data on the fruit and vegetable intake levels of 3,696 men and women. The ankle-brachial index, an indicator for peripheral arterial disease was also measured in all the participants in this study. 

Researchers found out that frequent consumers of fruits and vegetables were less prone to develop peripheral arterial disease than infrequent and non-consumers of these plant foods. "Our study demonstrates an inverse association of F&V consumption with prevalent PAD and overall low F&V consumption," concluded the authors.