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PubMed1994

The microbiology of minimally processed fresh fruits and vegetables.

Minimally processed fresh (MPF) fruits and vegetables are good media for growth of microorganisms. They have been involved in outbreaks because of the consumption of products contaminated by pathogens. They are also sensitive to various spoilage microorganisms such as pectinolytic bacteria, saprophytic Gram-negative bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts. Contamination of MPF fruits and vegetables occurs at every stage of the food chain, from cultivation to processing. Polluted environments during cultivation or poor hygienic conditions in processing increase the risk of contamination with foodborne pathogens. Although MPF fruits and vegetables may harbor psychrotrophic microorganisms such as fluorescent pseudomonads or Listeria monocytogenes, good control of refrigeration temperature limits growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Modified atmospheres are often efficient to maintain or improve visual organoleptic quality of MPF fruits and vegetables, but their effects on microorganisms are inconsistent. Chemical disinfection can partially reduce the initial bacterial contamination; irradiation seems to be more efficient. The applications of legislations and quality assurance systems to control contamination, survival, and growth of foodborne pathogens in MPF fruits and vegetables are discussed.

Food Contamination↗

PubMed2004

Factors affecting quality and postharvest properties of vegetables: integration of water relations and metabolism.

Growing of vegetables in the field, harvesting, handling in the packing house and storage are events in the lifetime of vegetables that are analysed from the point of view of the complex series of physiological transitions taking place in each of these events. Water is the major factor limiting plant metabolism and plants have developed fascinating mechanisms to cope with this limiting factor. Therefore, water relations (water, pressure and osmotic potential) are used as criteria for discussing plant stress physiology aspects such as osmotic, elastic adjustment and cold acclimation, as well as mechanical stress when the vegetable is harvested and during handling in the packing house. Consequences for the storage potential and quality of the vegetable are discussed. After harvesting, the postharvest cell has the ability to complete a complex series of physiological transitions that will influence vegetable quality andfurther processing operations. Metabolic changes in the cytosol, cell membrane and cell wall are described.

Food Handling↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption using audio communications: in-store public service announcements and audiotapes.

Consumers make an estimated 70% of their food purchase decisions as they shop. Effective presentation of information about healthier food selections at the point-of-purchase should have an impact on their decisions. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of two audio formats on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about fruits and vegetables and on intake of these foods. Participants identified as "regular shoppers" (n = 374) in three intervention stores were recruited as they entered. They provided baseline demographic data, answered questions about their knowledge and beliefs about fruits and vegetables, and completed a checklist to assess fruit and vegetable intake. They were given two one-hour audiotapes and asked to play them within the next four weeks. In-store public service announcements (PSAs) with information about fruits and vegetables were rotated every 30 minutes for four weeks. A control group (n = 378), recruited in three other stores matched by demographic characteristics, provided the same information. They received an audiotape with stress reduction information. At posttest, the original series of questionnaires were readministered in telephone interviews with 87.7% of the original intervention group and 93.7% of the original control group. Knowledge scores in the intervention group increased significantly over baseline and as compared with the control group. Self-reported fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly in both groups, perhaps in part because of a seasonal effect. The increase from baseline was significantly higher in the intervention group and compared with controls. These findings support the further exploration of the use of audiotapes in nutrition education interventions.

Audiovisual Aids↗

PubMed2002

Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetables from northern China.

Nine important vegetables were collected from northern Chinese wholesale markets and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents. Anthracene, flupranthene, benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene were determined. The contents of the four PAH congeners were at the same level with the mean concentrations 6.46, 4.05, 3.33, 4.51 microg kg(-1) for fresh weight for anthracene, flupranthene, benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene, respectively. However, leafy and stem vegetables had higher PAH content than root and fruit vegetables. Peels of the root and fruit vegetables had higher PAH concentrations than their cores. Human exposure to PAHs by consumption of these vegetables is estimated, by using typical northern Chinese intake rates, although the study was not designed to be statistically representative for the China as a whole.

China↗

PubMed1998

Fruit and vegetable consumption in later life.

OBJECTIVE: to assess levels of fruit and vegetable consumption in elderly people, and to examine the socio-economic, physical and psychological factors which influence this consumption. METHODS: a three-phase survey: face to face interviews; self-completed dietary diaries with a food frequency questionnaire; and follow-up face-to-face interviews. PARTICIPANTS: 445 elderly people (aged 65+) randomly selected from general practitioner lists in urban Nottingham and rural Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. RESULTS: the recommended target of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day was achieved by less than half the respondents: 37% of those living in the urban area and 51% of those living in the rural area. Low fruit and vegetable consumption was particularly associated with being male, smoking and having low levels of social engagement. CONCLUSIONS: most elderly people consume less than the recommended levels of fruit and vegetables. Health programmes promoting fruit and vegetable consumption may not be successfully reaching elderly people and need to target those particularly at risk of low consumption.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Positive effects of vegetable and fruit consumption and calcium intake on bone mineral accrual in boys during growth from childhood to adolescence: the University of Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is an important modifiable factor in the development of bone mass during adolescence. Recent studies of children and adolescents examined the effects of foods such as milk products and fruit and vegetables on bone growth; however, few studies included both boys and girls. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to ascertain the role of consumption of milk products and vegetables and fruit in the accrual of total-body bone mineral content (TBBMC) in boys and girls from childhood to late adolescence. DESIGN: Seven-year longitudinal data were obtained from 85 boys and 67 girls aged 8-20 y. Biological maturity was defined by the number of years from the age at peak height velocity. Dietary intake was assessed by serial 24-h recalls. Anthropometric measurements and physical activity were assessed every 6 mo. TBBMC assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the fall of each year was the indicator of bone mass. RESULTS: Most boys (87.8%) met Canadian recommendations for milk product intake. Few subjects (<30%) consumed vegetables and fruit in recommended amounts. Using a multilevel modeling statistical approach containing important biological and environmental factors, we found that vegetable and fruit intakes, calcium intake, and physical activity were significant independent environmental predictors of TBBMC in boys but not in girls. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to adequate dietary calcium intake, appropriate intakes of vegetables and fruit have a beneficial effect on TBBMC in boys aged 8-20 y. Underreporting of dietary intake by girls may explain why this effect was not apparent in girls.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1985

Increased green and yellow vegetable intake and lowered cancer deaths in an elderly population.

In a prospective cohort study of 1271 Massachusetts residents 66 years of age or older, we examined the association between consumption of carotene-containing vegetables and subsequent five year mortality. Dietary information was obtained by food frequency questionnaire in 1976. The relative risk of cancer mortality was examined within quintiles of green and yellow vegetable score (calculated from intake of carrots or squash, tomatoes, salads or leafy vegetables, dried fruits, fresh strawberries or fresh melon, and broccoli or brussel sprouts). After controlling for age and smoking behavior, those in the highest quintile of intake of these carotene-containing vegetables had a risk of cancer mortality which was 0.3 (95% confidence limits 0.10-0.96) that of those in the lowest quintile. The trend of decreased cancer risk with increasing intake of carotene containing vegetables was significant (p = .026). This relationship is consistent with the hypothesis that carotene may act as an inhibitor of carcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Dietary behavior change: the challenge of recasting the role of fruit and vegetables in the American diet.

We present an overview of national trends in fruit and vegetable intake and background information on the development of the 5 a Day for Better Health program; which is a national social marketing program created in 1991 to promote consumption by Americans of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily. Using the 5 a Day program as an example, we highlight the importance of moving beyond consumption data when approaching a population with a message about healthy eating. In doing so, we incorporate the assessment of marketing data and employ behavioral change theories that are important in modifying behavior. Finally, drawing from the dietary themes of the Mediterranean diet, we propose a new strategy that builds on the good taste and attractiveness of fruit and vegetables, in combination with a health message as a way for health promotion professionals to enhance the role of fruit and vegetables in American cuisine and to help move Americans toward increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Diet↗

PubMed1997

Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C as biomarkers of vegetable and fruit intakes in a community-based sample of French adults.

Relatively high intakes of vegetables and fruit and relatively low intakes of fat are associated with lower rates of heart disease and many types of cancer. Biomarkers for vegetable and fruit consumption are most useful when applicable across different ages, body weights, diets, and varying patterns of fat intake. This study examined two biomarkers, serum concentrations of beta-carotene and vitamin C, as a function of anthropometric, dietary, and lifestyle factors in a community-based sample of French adults. The interview-based dietary-history method was used to assess dietary intakes of 361 males and 476 females aged 18-94 y resident in the Val-de-Marne district southeast of Paris. Serum beta-carotene was quantified by HPLC and vitamin C was measured by using an automated method. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations were positively associated with vegetable and fruit intakes and were negatively linked to the consumption of energy, alcohol, and fat. Multiple-regression analyses showed that serum beta-carotene concentration was predicted by fruit and vegetable intakes but was inversely associated with body mass, energy and alcohol intakes, and tobacco use. Serum vitamin C concentration was positively associated with fruit consumption but was negatively associated with age, body mass, and tobacco use. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations are useful biomarkers of vegetable and fruit consumption in the French diet. However, other dietary and lifestyle factors also have a significant effect on circulating concentrations of these antioxidant micronutrients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Dietary factors in relation to rheumatoid arthritis: a role for olive oil and cooked vegetables?

BACKGROUND: Although several studies showed that risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is inversely associated with consumption of n-3 fatty acids, the one study showing that olive oil may have a protective role has not yet been confirmed. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between dietary factors and risk of RA in persons from southern Greece. DESIGN: We studied 145 RA patients and 188 control subjects who provided information on demographic and socioeconomic variables, prior medical and family history, and present disease status. Subjects responded to an interviewer-administered, validated, food-frequency questionnaire that assessed the consumption of >100 food items. We calculated chi-square statistics for linear trend and odds ratios (ORs) for the development of RA in relation to the consumption of olive oil, fish, vegetables, and a series of food groups classified in quartiles. RESULTS: Risk of developing RA was inversely and significantly associated only with cooked vegetables (OR: 0.39) and olive oil (OR: 0.39) by univariate analysis. A significant trend was observed with increasing olive oil (chi-square: 4.28; P = 0.03) and cooked vegetable (chi-square: 10. 48; P = 0.001) consumption. Multiple logistic regression analysis models confirmed the independent and inverse association between olive oil or cooked vegetable consumption and risk of RA (OR: 0.38 and 0.24, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of both cooked vegetables and olive oil was inversely and independently associated with risk of RA in this population. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this finding, which may include the antioxidant properties or the high n-9 fatty acid content of the olive oil.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Fruit and vegetable intakes and the risk of colorectal cancer in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project follow-up cohort.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings have cast doubt on the hypothesis that high intakes of fruit and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: In a large prospective cohort of women, we examined the association between fruit and vegetable intakes and colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Between 1987 and 1989, 45490 women with no history of colorectal cancer satisfactorily completed a 62-item Block-National Cancer Institute food-frequency questionnaire. During 386142 person-years of follow-up, 314 women reported incident colorectal cancer, searches of the National Death Index identified an additional 106 colorectal cancers, and a match with state registries identified another 65 colorectal cancers for a total of 485 cases. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to estimate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs in both energy-adjusted and fully adjusted models. RESULTS: In models using the multivariate nutrient-density model of energy adjustment, RRs for increasing quintile of fruit consumption indicated no significant association with colorectal cancer [RR (95% CI)]: 1.00 (reference), 0.94 (0.70, 1.26), 0.85 (0.63, 1.15), 1.07 (0.81, 1.42), and 1.09 (0.82, 1.44). For vegetable consumption, there was also no significant association in the multivariate nutrient-density model with increasing quintiles of consumption: 1.00 (reference), 0.77 (0.58, 1.02), 0.83 (0.63, 1.10), 0.90 (0.69, 1.19), and 0.92 (0.70, 1.22). Additionally, 3 alternative models of energy adjustment showed no significant association between increases in vegetable intake and the risk of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Although the limitations of our study design and data merit consideration, this investigation provides little evidence of an association between fruit and vegetable intakes and colorectal cancer.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2002

Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies report inconsistent findings on the association of fruit and vegetable intake with the risk of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the relation between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: We studied 9608 adults aged 25-74 y participating in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study and free of cardiovascular disease at the time of their baseline examination between 1971 and 1975. Fruit and vegetable intake at baseline was measured with a food-frequency questionnaire. The incidence of and mortality from cardiovascular disease were obtained from medical records and death certificates. RESULTS: Over an average of 19 y, 888 strokes (218 fatal), 1786 ischemic heart disease events (639 fatal), 1145 cardiovascular disease deaths, and 2530 all-cause deaths were documented. Consuming fruit and vegetables > or = 3 times/d compared with <1 time/d was associated with a 27% lower stroke incidence [relative risk (RR): 0.73; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.95; P for trend = 0.01), a 42% lower stroke mortality (0.58; 0.33, 1.02; P for trend = 0.05), a 24% lower ischemic heart disease mortality (0.76; 0.56, 1.03; P for trend = 0.07), a 27% lower cardiovascular disease mortality (0.73; 0.58, 0.92; P for trend = 0.008), and a 15% lower all-cause mortality (0.85; 0.72, 1.00; P for trend = 0.02) after adjustment for established cardiovascular disease risk factors. CONCLUSION: We showed an inverse association of fruit and vegetable intake with the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the general US population.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Fruit and vegetable intakes are an independent predictor of bone size in early pubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Adequate intakes of fruit and vegetables are recommended for optimum health in children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether consuming fruit and vegetables >3 times per day is beneficial to bone mass in children. DESIGN: Fifty-six white females (Tanner stage 2) recorded dietary intake on 3 independent days. The numbers of servings of fruit and vegetables were recorded for each day and tallied, and the subjects were divided into 2 consumption groups for analysis (low consumption: <3 servings/d, n = 22; high consumption: > or = 3 servings/d, n = 34). Bone area and the bone mineral content of the whole body and radius were assessed by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Radioimmunoassays measured serum parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were assessed for calcium, sodium, and creatinine. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, body mass index, and physical activity, those children who reported consuming > or = 3 servings fruit and vegetables/d had more bone area of the whole body (6.0%; P = 0.03) and radius (8.3%; P = 0.03), lower urinary calcium excretion (2.6 +/- 0.2 compared with 1.8 +/- 0.3 mg/kg; P = 0.04), and lower parathyroid hormone (19.6 +/- 1.9 compared with 25.0 +/- 1.6 pg/mL; P = 0.01) than did those children who reported consuming <3 servings fruit and vegetables/d. CONCLUSIONS: High fruit and vegetable intakes have beneficial effects on the bone area of the radius and whole body in early pubertal girls. The lower urinary calcium output associated with higher fruit and vegetable intakes may be a modulating factor.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cataract in women.

BACKGROUND: Prospective data on cataract in relation to total fruit and vegetable intake are limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether higher fruit and vegetable intake reduces the risk of cataract and cataract extraction in a large, prospective cohort of women. DESIGN: Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed at baseline in 1993 among 39 876 female health professionals with the use of a validated, semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. A total of 35 724 of these women were free of a diagnosis of cataract at baseline and were followed for incident cataract and cataract extraction. Cataract was defined as an incident, age-related lens opacity responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity to 20/30 or worse, based on self-report confirmed by medical record review. Individuals, rather than eyes, were the unit of analysis. RESULTS: During an average of 10 y of follow-up, 2067 cataracts and 1315 cataract extractions were confirmed. Compared with women in the lowest quintile of fruit and vegetable intake, women with higher intakes had modest 10-15% reduced risks of cataract (P for trend < 0.05). For cataract extraction, no significant inverse trend was observed (P for trend = 0.12). CONCLUSION: These prospective data suggest that high intake of fruit and vegetables may have a modest protective effect on cataract.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Vegetables, fruit, and antioxidant-related nutrients and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a National Cancer Institute-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Factors related to DNA damage and altered immunologic responses, such as reactive oxygen species production, are associated with the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate NHL risk with intakes of vegetables, fruit, and nutrients involved in antioxidant activities. DESIGN: Incident case subjects aged 20-74 y were identified between 1998 and 2000 from a National Cancer Institute-sponsored study by using four Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. Control subjects, who were selected by random dialing (< 65 y) and from Medicare files (> or = 65 y), were matched to cases by age, center, race, and sex. Of 1321 case and 1057 control subjects who enrolled, dietary data were collected on a subset (466 cases and 391 controls). Carotenoid intakes were estimated by using updated values from the US Department of Agriculture nutrient databases. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: NHL risk was inversely associated with higher number of weekly servings of all vegetables (multivariable OR for highest compared with lowest quartile: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.95; P for trend = 0.04), green leafy vegetables (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.96; P for trend = 0.01), and cruciferous vegetables (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.39, 1.00; P for trend = 0.05) and with higher daily intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.91; P for trend = 0.06) and zinc (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.91; P for trend = 0.02). An effect modification by exercise and NHL subtype was observed with some food groups and nutrients. CONCLUSION: Higher intakes of vegetables, lutein and zeaxanthin, and zinc are associated with a lower NHL risk.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Fruit and vegetable intakes and bone mineral status: a cross sectional study in 5 age and sex cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is increasing for positive effects of fruit and vegetable intakes on bone health. However, most of the studies to date were conducted in adults, and few reports included adolescents. OBJECTIVE: We explored the association between bone mineral status and fruit and vegetable intakes in adolescent boys and girls (aged 16-18 y), young women (aged 23-37 y), and older men and women (aged 60-83 y). DESIGN: Bone mineral measurements of the whole body, hip, and spine were made in all subjects by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on health and lifestyle and physical activity was obtained by questionnaire. Fruit, vegetable, and nutrient intakes were ascertained from 7-d food diaries. RESULTS: In adolescent boys and girls and older women, significant positive associations were observed between spine size-adjusted bone mineral content (SA-BMC) and fruit intake. In boys only, femoral neck SA-BMC was also significantly and positively associated with the intakes of both fruit and dietary vitamin C. No significant associations were found in the young women or older men, or between bone measurements and intake of vegetables alone (after adjustments) in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher fruit and vegetable intakes may have positive effects on bone mineral status in both younger and older age groups, especially at the spine and femoral neck. The specific mechanisms remain to be ascertained, but vitamin C, other fruit-specific antioxidants, and lifestyle may play a role.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Relation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and IGF-binding protein 3 concentrations with intakes of fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants.

BACKGROUND: Fruit, vegetable, and antioxidant intakes may reduce the risk of several insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-related chronic diseases, such as certain types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether intakes of fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants (beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin C) are associated with plasma IGF-I and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations. DESIGN: Plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured in 1542 healthy women by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A self-administered semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to estimate mean daily dietary intakes of fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants over the year preceding blood sampling. Multivariate analyses were performed by using generalized linear models to evaluate the association of quintiles of daily intakes with concentrations of growth factors. RESULTS: A higher intake of citrus fruit was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-I (215 ng/mL for quintile 5 compared with 205 ng/mL for quintile 1; P for trend = 0.04) and with lower concentrations of IGFBP-3 (4803 ng/mL for quintile 5 compared with 4960 ng/mL for quintile 1; P for trend = 0.04). Higher dietary vitamin C intake was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-I (214 ng/mL for quintile 5 compared with 204 ng/mL for quintile 1; P for trend = 0.02) and lower concentrations of IGFBP-3 (4813 ng/mL for quintile 5 compared with 4953 ng/mL for quintile 1; P for trend = 0.03). Total intake of fruit and vegetables and intakes of other botanical fruit and vegetable subgroups, beta-carotene, and lycopene were not related to either IGF-I or IGFBP-3 concentrations. CONCLUSION: Women with higher intakes of citrus fruit or dietary vitamin C tend to have higher plasma concentrations of IGF-I and lower plasma concentrations of IGFBP-3.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Measurement of fruit and vegetable consumption with diet questionnaires and implications for analyses and interpretation.

Measurement error can have an important impact on the estimation of the true relation between diet and disease. The authors examined the performance of models regressing plasma vitamin C level on fruit and vegetable consumption and the effect of categorization of fruit and vegetable consumption on the association with plasma vitamin C. They used diet information reported by 4,487 participants in the Norfolk, United Kingdom, portion of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition by means of a 7-day diet diary and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (1993-1998). The authors found substantial differences in mean fruit and vegetable consumption assessed by the two diet instruments. Consumption estimated with the FFQ was about twice as high as that obtained with the 7-day diary, and the ranking of individuals according to estimates of fruit and vegetable consumption from the 7-day diary and the FFQ differed substantially. When fruit and vegetable consumption were categorized into quintiles, the two questionnaires produced similar associations of relative intake with plasma vitamin C, but estimation of the association of absolute intake with plasma vitamin C differed.

Aged↗