Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease, but also may help prevent cancer.

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It is a very potent antioxidant, and numerous research studies have found an association between greater intake of beta carotene-containing fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of disease including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in older Americans) and even certain types of cancers.

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It is recommended that adults eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, with the suggestion that diseases such as heart disease, stroke and even cancer could be reduced.

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In general each additional serving of fruit or vegetables that's added to your daily diet decreases the risk of heart disease by four percentage points.

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The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, which can help protect your heart.

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Hi Uma - There is a great deal of research suggesting that extra virgin olive oil, the principal source of fat in the Mediterranean diet (which is also rich in vegetables, cereals, fruit, fish and wine), is very healthy for your heart in several ways.

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The Mediterranean diet began to gain heart health advocates, with its high content of olive oil, fruits, nuts, vegetables, cereals, moderate amount of fish and poultry, and low intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meats and sweets.

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She said it was also important to remember that regular physical activity combined with a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat was still the best way to combat high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

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