Fruits and Vegetables Get a Golden Halo Once Again: Is There More to the Story?

What is not to like about fruits and vegetables? For decades, the data have been relatively consistent; individuals who report eating more fruits and vegetables have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and all-cause mortality.(1-6) Fruits and vegetables come in lots of colors, shapes, sizes, flavors, and textures. They can be eaten raw, or prepared by baking, stewing, sautéing, frying, grilling, steaming, or microwaving. They are available in multiple forms; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. They can be served whole, sliced, diced, mashed, pureed, or any combination thereof. Yet consistently, the majority of us aren't eating the recommended amounts. And, when intensive efforts are made to get people to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables, they inevitably fall short of the goal.