How many times have we heard at home that refrain that the best before date de fruits and vegetables is essential for a balanced diet? Well, it seems that not enough, because the consumption of these foods has decreased significantly in recent years. We are at a level less to the pre-pandemic period. Find out!
Reducing consumption of fruits and vegetables
Fepex, the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers-Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables and Vegetables, has positioned itself today against the reduction of the consumption of these healthy foods. The consumption of fruit and vegetables has fallen in Spain compared to the levels that were managed at the time prepandemic. They regret, above all, that after the period of confinement there has not been a rebound in fruit consumption.
Specifically, buying fresh fruits and vegetables in homes during this first semester of 2022 has receded 14% compared to the data obtained in 2021. Right now, the volume of fruit purchased stands at 3.442 million kilos. This amount is significantly less than that of 2020. Specifically, it is 21% lower than that of the same period of that year and 9,6% lower than that of the 2019 period.
If we we go back to the fruit consumption data in households from January to June 2022, these stand at 1.834 million kilos. These data represent 13,6% less than in the same period of 2021. And 10% less if we look at the data for 2019, before the pandemic. Undoubtedly, this is a significant reduction in the consumption of fruits y vegetables.
Why is fruit consumption so important?
El fruit consumption and vegetables is very important if we want to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming at least 400 g daily to obtain all its nutritional benefits. If we rely on data on deaths, in 2017 approximately 3,9 million deaths worldwide were attributed to the lack of consumption of fruits and vegetables in quantities enough.
And you don't have to go back so many years to see the importance of these ingredients. It is estimated that the of lack of these foods is the cause of about 14% of deaths from gastrointestinal cancer all over the world. There are several deficiencies that cause the absence of the benefits provided by a correct diet. Meat and fish should be complementary with fruit and vegetables as usual.
The results preliminary of a new study on the subject suggest that inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables could be responsible for millions of deaths each year. About 1 each 7 Heart-related deaths could be attributed to not eating enough fruit. At the same time, one in 12 cardiovascular deaths could be attributed to not eating enough vegetables. That is why they are so important to us.
The solutions to the problem
Faced with this problem, there are several organizations who seek to offer a solution. The fair Fruit Attraction, on the global marketing of fruit and vegetables, celebrates from October 4 to 6, 2022 its fourteenth edition. It will meet and connect the entire set of professionals of the agricultural sector with the aim of promoting consumption.
La association 5 a Day, who has been a part of Fruit Attraction Since its inception, this edition will bring a proposal focused on reinforcing and promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetables among the population. For this they will have the tasting of a delicious rice with vegetables, a fun p fruit and different fruits and vegetables. In the same way, different activities related to the promotion of the consumption of these foods.
No doubt these foods are essential for the correct development of our organism. Do not stop eating them if you want to avoid all kinds of enfermedades cardiovascular. Keep a eating balanced is essential if what you want is that your body stay in shape for as long as possible.
What do you think? Did you know these data on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Spain? Are you going to increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables?
