Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals
Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability
Chapter One
The Contribution of Fruit and Vegetable
Consumption to Human Health
Elhadi M. Yahia
Introduction
Increasing incidences of some chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular
disease, especially in industrial countries, have raised awareness regarding the importance
of diet (Erbersdobler 2003). It is estimated that one-third of the cancer cases
and up to half of cardiovascular disease cases are thought to be diet related (Goldberg
1994). Numerous epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between
fruit and vegetable consumption and chronic diseases, including different types of
cancer and cardiovascular disease (Hirayama 1990; Block and others 1992; Howe and
others 1992; Steinmetz and Potter 1991, 1996; World Cancer Research Fund 1997;
Joshipura and others 2001; Bazzano and others 2002; Kris-Etherton and others 2002).
These studies have shown mounting evidence that people who avoid f ... read full excerpt from Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability ebook
