Why 5-a-Day?

Around the world scientists agree that vegetables and fruit are important to our health, and there is growing evidence supporting the numerous benefits of eating plenty of vegetables and fruit.

The benefits include a reduced risk of heart disease, a probable reduced risk of certain cancers, diabetes and obesity, as well as an association with the prevention and alleviation of several vitamin and mineral deficiencies. No wonder then that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set a world goal for everyone to increase their daily intake of vegetables and fruit to at least 400g a day. This is equivalent to 5 servings of 80g of a variety of vegetables and fruit.

In South Africa, we live with the sad but real facts:

• 1 in 3 children are deficient in vitamin A, a deficiency that results in blindness, more severe infections, anaemia, poor growth (physical and cognitive) and even death. And yet...
• the statistics for people who are overweight and obese are also frightening, with more than 29% of men and 56% of women classified as overweight or obese, and 1 out of 4 children already struggling with their weight.

Sadly, the average South African only eats about 3 of the recommended 5 minimum servings of vegetables and fruit each day. The reason we need to eat actual vegetables and fruit, rather than supplements, is that they contain so much goodness that goes beyond just vitamins and minerals, and that cannot be captured in a tablet. And the hundreds of components (some known and some as yet unknown) in vegetables and fruit act together, maintaining good health and preventing the development of numerous diseases.

So start today – young and old; men and women; adults and children. Start being inspired to eat the 5-a-Day way and reap the benefits forever.


CEO: 5-a-Day for Better Health TRUST