Impact of fruits and vegetables consumption on metabolic health: a case–control study

Abstract

Abstract Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is recommended to consume more than 400 grams of (fruits + vegetables) per day to enhance healthful lifestyle and to lower the incidence of metabolic illnesses. Their low glycemic index helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, consequently controlling hunger. Our aim was to study the reflection of the intake of fruits and that of vegetables on metabolic risks in obese children. Results A case–control research enrolled 90 Egyptian children (44 obese and 46 normal weight control children) aged from 5 to 11 years. Thirty-three out of 46 controls (71.7%) consumed vegetables on a daily basis compared to only 27 (61.4%) among cases. As regards fruits, the daily consumption was frequented more among the obese group 25 (58.1%) and less frequented among the control group 20 (43.5%). No significant associations were found between vegetables/fruits’ consumption and the specified metabolic markers of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Conclusion The role of fruits and vegetables is still debatable. In our study, the daily intake of fruits and vegetables was not significantly associated with changes in blood sugar or lipid levels.

Keywords

• Children
• Obese
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Metabolic risks