Consequences Of Not Eating Fruits & Vegetables

The consequences of not eating fruits and vegetables are lost opportunities for better health throughout the life span. Their impact on health and wellbeing is not just what they do for you; it's also what they prevent. Their generous supply of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber are essential for growth, development and achieving optimal health now and for preventing chronic diseases later.

Health Risk

Fruits and vegetables are rich in the minerals and vitamins needed to maintain a healthy body. Taking multivitamins does not substitute for eating fruits and vegetables, according to the Cancer Institute. Supplements cannot fully duplicate the combination of many nutrients and their components in fresh produce. A consequence of not eating fruits and vegetables is missing out on the optimal level of health provided by a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.

Weight Management Risk

A consequence of not eating fruits and vegetables is that losing weight can be more difficult. Many highly motivated people still find it difficult to lose weight or maintain their current weight. Eating fruits and vegetables instead of higher-calorie foods would help them feel full with fewer calories.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Higher intakes of fruits and vegetables correlates with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Vegetables most likely to help resist heart disease and stroke include dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, lettuce and mustard greens, and cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Helpful fruits for preventing heart disease and stroke include citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons and grapefruit.

Blood Pressure Risk

Eating fruits and vegetables controls high blood pressure to help prevent heart disease and stroke. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables, such as the DASH diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, can be effective at lowering blood pressure. People who do not eat fruits and vegetables lose an opportunity to prevent or treat high blood pressure through diet.

Cancer Risk

Some types of fruits and vegetables may protect against certain cancers, according to the Health Products Review. Nonstarchy vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, bok choy, garlic and onions as well as fruits are likely to protect against cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Lycopene from tomatoes may be involved in helping protect men against prostate cancer.

Gastrointestinal Health Risk

The indigestible fiber in fruits and vegetables sweeps through the digestive tract and expands as it attracts water. This action can calm irritable bowel, relieve or prevent constipation and help prevent diverticulosis, the development of easily irritated pouches in the colon and diverticulitis, a painful inflammation of these pouches.

Vision Risk

Another consequence of not eating fruits and vegetables is a lost opportunity to fight off free radical damage to the eyes caused by sunlight, air pollution, cigarette smoke and certain chemical reactions in metabolism. Pigments contained in dark green leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruits and vegetables help to prevent damage from free radicals. The vitamin A in carrots helps with night vision and other fruits and vegetables help prevent cataracts, the clouding of the lens of the eye, and macular degeneration, damage to the retina of the eye, according to Eleanor Whitney and Sharon Rolfes in "Understanding Nutrition."