Fruits and vegetables have a well-deserved reputation for helping our bodies stay healthy. They've also been associated with preventing the risk of many serious illnesses.

For example, several types of cancer have been connected, at least partly, with dietary factors. Of these dietary factors, there has been consistent research indicating an association between increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and the reduced risk of cancer, especially digestive (such as oral, stomach and colon cancers) and respiratory cancers. It's thought that the vitamins, fiber, carotenoids, phytochemicals and other components in fruits and vegetables may be responsible for this protective effect.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables has also been associated with lower risks of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure (hypertension).

As well as disease prevention, fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, are low in fat, and may contain folic acid (green leafy vegetables, asparagus and avocado are good sources) - plus they taste great and are low in calories!