Monday, May 24, 2010

Fruits & veggies equals reduced inflammation

Increased intakes of fruit and vegetables may decrease markers of inflammation linked to a range of chronic diseases. Using the nutrigenomics technique, scientists report in Nutrition & Metabolism that people with the highest intakes of fruit and vegetables have significantly lower levels of markers of inflammation, and thereby supporting recommendations to consume five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

Chronic inflammation has been linked to range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, type-2 diabetes, and arthritis. The highest intake of fruit and vegetable consumption – at least 660 grams per day – associated with significant reductions in levels of markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In addition, the highest intakes of antioxidants (at least 11.8 milligrams per day) were also associated with lower levels of CRP, and the gene expression in white blood cells.

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