Fruit’s the way to go!
An epic, 24-year study of over 130,000 people focused on fruit and vegetable intake (including pulses) and body weight. The results showed that increased fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with good, long-term weight management. The benefits were specifically greater for fruits compared to vegetables and strongest for berries, apples and pears, tofu and soya products, cauliflower, cruciferous and green leafy vegetables.
In general, the intake of high fibre, non-starchy (everything apart from potatoes, corn, pumpkins) fruit and vegetables helps to maintain healthy weight, sugar metabolism and does not contribute to fat storage.
Bertoia et al. 2015. Changes in Intake of Fruits and Vegetables and Weight Change in United States Men and Women Followed for Up to 24 Years: Analysis from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. PLoS Medicine. 12 (9) e1001878.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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