Can Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Oppose the Negative Health Effects of Tobacco?

by | Jan 20, 2009 | Cardiovascular Health, Fruits and Vegetables, Tobacco

Written by Bethany Stevens, BS, science writer, and Ronald Ross Watson ,PhD. The intake of fruits and vegetables has a modest beneficial effect on the cancer risk among smokers, but avoiding tobacco smoke is much better.

Aging is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.  If current trends continue, tobacco use will kill 100 million people prematurely during this century.  Smoking increases the risk of such diseases further.

To prevent chronic diseases the intake of fruit and vegetables is often promoted.  The intake of fruits and vegetables seems to have a modest protective effect on the occurrence of these diseases.  The consumption of fruits and vegetables seems to have a beneficial effect on cancer risk in smokers.  Such association was weaker in cardiovascular disease in smokers.

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle in middle age has been shown to lead to a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk and mortality [2].   Heart attacks in postmenopausal women may be prevented by consuming a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and legumes.  Being physically active, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce heart attacks. [3].   Increased fruit and vegetable intake while very important for health can not be a substitute for quitting smoking.   Therefore, the advice to quit smoking should remain the mainstay of a healthy lifestyle for everybody. [1]

Source: “Can Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Oppose the Negative Health Effects of Tobacco?”, a review article [1] in the  Handbook of Nutrition in the Aged 4th Edition edited by Ronald Ross Watson.

Posted January 20, 2009.

References:

  1. Kellen, Elaine, Bekkering, Geertruida E. “Can Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Oppose the Negative Health Effects of Tobacco?”,  IN:  Handbook of Nutrition in the Aged Fourth Edition.  Pages 311-320.  Edited by Ronald R. Watson, 2009, CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL.
  2. King, D.E., Mainous, A.G., III, and Geesey, M.E. 2007. Turning back the clock: Adopting a healthy lifestyle in middle age.  AM. J. Med.  120, 598-603.
  3. Knoops, K.T., de Groot, L.C., Kromhout, D., Perrin, A.E., Moreiras-Varela, O., Menotti, A. and van Staveren, W.A.  2004.  Mediterranean diet, lifestyle factors, and 10-year mortality in elderly European men and women: The HALE project.  JAMA 292, 1433-1439.