The Value of Vegetables and Fruits

Researchers in Scotland are serving up further proof that eating fruits and vegetables is good for you.

A comparison of vegetarians and non-vegetarians revealed that vegetarians have higher blood levels of salicylic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug present in fruits and vegetables.

Salicylic acid is also the active ingredient in aspirin, which is given to people to help prevent heart attacks because it helps to block the formation of blood clots.

Researchers believe the high concentration of salicylic acid in these foods may help explain other studies that revealed low levels of heart disease among people who eat lots of these good-for-you foods.

Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology 2001; 54, 553-555

This appeared in ACE FitnessMatters, ACE's official magazine.
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