New Foundation for Fresh Produce White Paper Underscores Strong Evidence Linking Fruits and Vegetables to Reduced Non-Communicable Disease Risk

NEWARK, Del. – The world is facing a persistent health crisis. Chronic non-communicable diseases – such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer – are the leading causes of death and disability globally. “Fruits, Vegetables, and Human Health: Key Nutrients and Their Role in Chronic Diseases” written by The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Chief Medical Officer, Jelena Gligorijevic, MD, is a critical, evidence-based framework for how to begin tackling these problems. The solution is simple and one almost all of us already know: fruits and vegetables.

“This review strengthens the clinical and public health case for produce by confirming that a high daily intake of fruits and vegetables is a cornerstone strategy for both preventing and managing chronic noncommunicable diseases.” said Lauren M. Scott, President of The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “It moves far beyond ‘eat your veggies because they’re good for you’ and provides a robust scientific rationale for why fruits and vegetables are an essential part of dietary approaches and healthful lives all over the world.”

In the U.S., February is American Heart Month, making the release of this new review especially timely as heart disease is the leading cause of death. About one in three adult Americans has one or more types of cardiovascular diseases, and one in every three deaths is attributed to cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease is also the leading cause of death in the European Union, prompting the E.U. to launch a new Cardiovascular Disease Action Plan. The plan underscores prevention, nutrition, and early intervention as critical levers for reducing non‑communicable diseases.

This medical review reinforces the evidence that increased fruit and vegetable consumption plays a vital role in preventing and managing major cardiovascular risk factors both in the U.S., the E.U. and globally.   

In addition to examining the effects of fruits and vegetables on heart disease, the review systematically explains how nutrients in fruits and vegetables directly combat the root causes of other major chronic illnesses, such as:

• Vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals reduce the inflammation that underlie many chronic diseases.
• High potassium and low sodium help manage hypertension.
• Low energy density and high fiber promote satiety and combat obesity.
• Fiber and phytochemicals exert a protective effect against diabetes, cancer, and digestive disorders.
• Anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, and essential nutrients enhance neurotransmitter function, lower inflammation, and foster a healthy gut, all of which may contribute to better mood regulation and stress resilience.

“The review is more than an academic summary; it is a call to action for the global medical, governmental, and public health communities,” said Dr Jelena Gligorijevic, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is not just a lifestyle suggestion. It is an essential, powerful, and accessible strategy to improve quality of life and combat the global rise of chronic disease.”

Why it Matters for Global Health

The Foundation urges health professionals and public servants to familiarize themselves with this review. While the produce industry supplies the fruits and vegetables we need, clinicians, dietitians, policymakers, and government agencies must champion their consumption.

The findings are clear: fruits and vegetables provide the essential vitamins, minerals, bioactive phytochemicals, and fiber we need to prevent and treat major common diseases. By focusing on these benefits, the medical community can empower patients, people of all ages and policymakers to shape food environments and public education that move us beyond treatment to a sustainable model of prevention.

For more research and information on resources that support consumption of fruits and vegetables, visit www.fruitsandveggies.org.  

About The Foundation for Fresh Produce

The Foundation for Fresh Produce is growing a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. We believe fruits and vegetables are the answer and we must remove barriers that prevent people from eating them.

The Foundation boosts the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, improves access, nurtures passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scales partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact. To join in changing the trajectory of human health, visit www.freshproduce.com/foundation to learn more and donate. For consumer inspiration and professional nutrition education, go to www.fruitsandveggies.org.