A recent study from the universities of Oxford and Bristol and the Chinese University of Hong Kong reveals that while vegetables are good for one’s health, eating a large amount does not reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. People who ate the most vegetables had a 15 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who ate the least, but the researchers suggest that other factors could explain this. As a result, they concluded that there was no evidence of “a protective effect of vegetable intake” on the number of cardiac and circulatory records in their study.

However, they emphasize that a well-balanced diet can help minimize the chance of various illnesses, including cancer. The National Health Service (NHS) and other health experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Raw vegetables are high in fiber and minerals that help people’s stomachs stay healthy, prevent digestion problems, and reduce their risk of colon cancer. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition shows that those who eat a lot of raw vegetables may have a lesser risk of heart disease, as cooking destroys essential nutrients like vitamin C.