The Claim

Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a 15% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, with a hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.93) for the highest quartile of intake compared to the lowest, indicating a stronger protective association for heart-related mortality than for all-cause mortality.

Source: Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality: European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
47score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

People who eat more fruits and vegetables have a 15% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who eat the least, based on observed differences in intake levels.

See the scientific wording

Higher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a 15% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, with a hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.93) for the highest quartile of intake compared to the lowest, indicating a stronger protective association for heart-related mortality than for all-cause mortality.

Why this might work

Eating more fruits and vegetables delivers compounds that lower harmful molecules in the blood, which protects the inside of blood vessels from damage and keeps them flexible, reducing the chance of heart attacks and strokes.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality: European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition.

    People who ate more fruits and vegetables were less likely to die from heart disease, and the study found exactly what the claim said: a 15% lower risk for those who ate the most.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.