Boston – Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are healthy. But some are better than others, according to recent research.
A study from Harvard University concluded that eating more fruit and non-starchy vegetables was tied to weight loss – but some starchy vegetables can actually be linked to weight gain.
Researchers examined dietary questionnaires and self-reported weight changes of nearly 134,000 men and women tracked up to 24 years. After taking into account factors such as smoking and physical activity, researchers found that eating an additional daily serving of fruit was connected to a weight loss of 0.53 pounds during a four-year span. Additionally, eating an additional serving of vegetables was tied to a loss of 0.25 pounds.
Yet, eating starchy vegetables – such as potatoes – was linked to weight gain. For example, eating peas was tied to a 1.13-pound gain, and corn to a 2.04-pound gain.
The study states that “higher-fiber, lower-glycemic load vegetables” – such as broccoli and brussels sprouts – were more strongly tied to weight loss than “lower-fiber, higher-glycemic load vegetables” – such as carrots and cabbage. Weight loss benefits were greater for eating fruit than vegetables and strongest for berries, apples, pears, tofu, soy, cauliflower and “cruciferous and green leafy vegetables.”
The study was published Sept. 22 in the journal PLOS Medicine.
