Improving Heart Health: How Eating More Fruits and Vegetables Could Save $11 Trillion

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, with more than 127,000 lives taken by cardiovascular disease each year. In fact, heart disease accounts for more female deaths than all forms of cancer combined.  But even more staggering perhaps is the fact that annual medical costs and lost productivity due to heart disease total to more than $312.6 billion according to a study conducted by the American Heart Association.

So how can we improve heart health and reduce medical spending? According to a new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the solution is simple-add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

It will probably come as no surprise to Juice Plus+ fans that fruits and vegetables have been found to provide many cardiovascular benefits and reduce risk of heart disease. After all, our clinical research and health professionals have been finding these results for years.  The new report from the UCS puts these benefits in further perspective however, concluding that eating more fruits and vegetables could save America $11 trillion.

In “The $11 Trillion Reward: How Simple Dietary Changes Can Save Lives and Money, and How We Get There,” the UCS lays out their plan to save 100,000 lives and $17 billion each year. Suggestions include providing more access to locally grown food, passing legislation that encourages food research & incentivizes farmers to grow more fresh produce, and educating consumers about healthy food choices.

All in all, the report suggests we can do our part to stay healthy and improve the economy simply by consuming our recommended servings of fruits and veggies each day. 

Will you be helping the economy by committing to a healthier diet?

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/faqs.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-sarasohnkahn/health-benefits-of-fruit_b_3763602.html?utm_hp_ref=@food123

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/solutions/expand-healthy-food-access/11-trillion-reward.html