Recommendations from medical professionals to eat a diet rich with fruits and vegetables is not a new concept. Yet, a recent review of available literature across the globe has put together a compelling argument to help fuel resolve for people wishing to protect their health, especially those at risk for heart disease and stroke.

Those involved with the review analyzed studies conducted during the last 19 years in the Unites States, Europe and Asia. They examined data from 20 studies that included over 760,000 participants.

According to the review, consuming 200 grams of fruit a day could reduce the risk of stroke by 32 percent. Eating 200 grams of vegetables a day reduced the risk by 11 percent and these percentages increased as consumption of these two food groups increased. If each individual were to eat 600 grams of vegetables and fruit a day, then the global rate of stroke from blood clot (known as ischemic strokes) could potentially be reduced by 19 percent.

Because of the nature of the review, no concrete conclusions could be drawn regarding the connection between fruit and vegetables and lowered risks for stroke and heart disease. There is evidence that suggests that vegetables and fruit can preserve blood vessel health and prevent risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inflammation.

These findings lend credence to recommendations that adults eat about five servings of vegetables and fruit daily. A diet rich in these food would easily meet the body’s nutritional needs without adding unnecessary energy to the body, helping to control weight and other factors that could threaten the overall health of a person.

Since stroke and heart disease are leading causes of death in the United States, it is recommended that adults adhere to the dietary advice given to them by their physicians, as research seems to overwhelmingly show the benefits of such lifestyle changes include a longer, healthier life.