1. Beat Cancer!
We are all exposed to cancer causing substances everyday, such as alcohol, cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide, pesticides and others. Vegetables and fruits are rich in nutrients called antioxidants and phytochemicals that help detoxify these harmful substances. A diet consisting of at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits each day can reduce cancer risk by 20%!

2. Chose to Lose!
Weight that is! Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fat, but high in fiber and nutrients - a weight loss ally. Most vegetables contain as few as 50 calories per cup. That's about the same amount of calories in just one slice of bacon or one pat of butter! Talk about getting more bang for you buck - or shall I say calories!

3. Be Heart Smart!
Looking to reduce your cholesterol, blood pressure, homocysteine levels (high levels are a marker for heart disease), and reduce your chances of stroke? Look no further! The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables such as soluble fiber, B-vitamins, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals all work to prevent heart disease.

4. Keep those Baby Blues (or browns, greens or hazels) Healthy!
Eating more vegetables and fruits may lower your risk for two of the most common causes of adult blindness - cataracts and macular degeneration.

5. Go with the Flow!
A diet high in fruits and vegetables will help "keep the juices flowing" in a literal sense. The fiber in fruits and vegetables will prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements. This in turn will prevent a disease called "diverticulosis." Diverticulosis occurs when pressure and straining in the intestine creates small pouches in the intestine wall, which can become inflamed and painful.

6. Take Control!
...of Diabetes! The fiber in fruits and vegetables help control blood sugar highs and lows associated with diabetes. Good blood sugar control helps prevent other risks associated with diabetes such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and blindness.

7. One Life to Live!
Numerous studies correlate a high fruit and vegetable intake with a long, healthy life. Hey, it can't hurt to try!

8. "Bone" Appetite!
Strong bones are not built by calcium alone. Nutrients found in fruits and vegetables such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin K are all contributors as well.

9. Brain Food
Fish is not the only brain food on the market. Recent research has found that the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables help protect brain cells. This may not only preserve memory but also prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

10. Beauty is Only Skin Deep!
Put down that tiny $60 bottle of skin cream! You can find all you need for beautiful skin in the produce section. All those fancy ingredients you find in your expensive moisturizers and anti-wrinkle creams such as "copper", "retinol", "vitamin E", "vitamin K", "antioxidants," etc can all be found in various fruits and vegetables.

11. This Joint is Jumpin'!
Recent research has found that the nutrients in fruits in vegetables may help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis and contribute to collagen formation, which acts like a cushion to joints.

12. Oh Baby!
The protective effect of folic acid on preventing the birth defect spina bifida was so strong that the U.S. government stepped in and voted to fortify grain products with this powerful nutrient. Folic acid is naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables such as dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, and bananas.

There you have it - 12 reasons to eating your fruits and veggies! How do you know if you're choosing the "right" varieties? That's easy. Since ALL fruits and vegetables contain different types of nutrients, simply choose a wide variety of colorful produce everyday to ensure your nutrient needs are being met. Happy eating!

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