HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 27, 2011: Let your plate be colorful. Fill it with fruits and vegetables. This piece of advice comes from Dr. Kalpagam Polasa, head of the Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, who added that fruits and vegetables could be the protection needed against cardiovascular diseases and several types of cancers.
Dr. Polasa gave a talk on ‘Nutrition – The Role of Vegetables and Fruits in Chronic Disorders’ during the golden jubilee regional symposium-2011 of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) in Hyderabad on Friday.
While fruits and vegetables are a part of the weight loss diets, they are also rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. “Five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day per person are highly desirable,” said Dr. Polasa who has 85 papers published in national and international journals to his credit.
“People go to doctors for a find-and-fix cure. More importantly one should concentrate on sticking to healthy diet to prevent diseases,” she said. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits not only may provide protection against cardiovascular diseases and several common cancers but also against Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, immunological disorders and obesity.