Many people eat fruits and vegetables to support their overall health, but that does not necessarily mean the body receives sufficient amounts of all the compounds that may help promote cardiovascular health, according to Health.
In a new study published in Food & Function, researchers analyzed data from more than 30,000 people in the United States and the United Kingdom.
They investigated whether individuals who followed dietary recommendations of five daily servings of fruits and vegetables were also consuming adequate amounts of certain plant compounds.
Major differences between foods
The findings showed that fewer than one in four participants reached the level of flavanols that previous research has associated with potential heart-health benefits.
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Flavanol content varies significantly among foods. Some fruits and vegetables contain far higher levels of flavanols than others, even though all are generally considered healthy choices.
How many flavanols should you consume each day?
Flavanols are found in foods such as apples, pears, berries, grapes, legumes, and tea.
Previous research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked a daily intake of 500 milligrams of flavanols to improved cardiovascular health.
However, the new study suggests that many people do not reach this level through a healthy diet alone.
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Experts told Health that people should not stop eating fruits and vegetables. Instead, they recommend choosing a wider variety of foods and including flavanol-rich options more frequently in the diet.
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