Introduction
The possibility that fruit and vegetable consumption may protect human health is an intriguing prospect and has been studied around the world. Over the past few decades, the number of studies suggesting an association between fruit and vegetable intake and reduced risk of major chronic diseases has continued to grow. These studies have demonstrated that several nutrients and other components in fruits and vegetables are associated with beneficial outcomes related to disease. There is also a growing body of basic research suggesting that fruit and vegetable intake may reduce oxidation, inflammation, cell proliferation, and other important disease-related processes. The majority of scientific investigations in humans are observational including cross-sectional, casecontrol, and prospective cohort studies, while relatively few are based on randomized controlled trials. (More information on these study types can be found at the conclusion of this review.) The purpose of this review is to summarize current studies related to consumption of fruits and vegetables and health. Data for the review were collected from database searches of PubMed and Medline for peer-reviewed articles published between July 1, 2006, and January 5, 2011. Key search terms included full and truncated forms of the words fruit(s), vegetable(s), fruits and vegetables,

Over the past few decades, the number of studies suggesting an association between fruit and vegetable intake and reduced risk of major chronic diseases has continued to grow.