However, Professor Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow warned the study should not change existing truths about the beneficial impact of vegetables: “Many living in the UK fall well short of this, sadly, and more needs to be done to encourage better intake of vegetables.
“In fact, I suspect we may have underestimated the importance of a healthy diet on health and disease in general”.
While vegetables alone may not reduce the risk of heart disease, the study is not suggesting they are of no use.
Key to a healthy life is a balanced diet eaten in conjunction with sufficient levels of exercise.