PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Regular intake of fruit and vegetables (F&Vs) has been widely recommended to improve the health of the population. Observational studies show a preventive effect of long-term consumption of adequate nutrients on cancer, diabetes, dementia and other age-related diseases. However, the short-term impact of F&V intake in more specific populations has been under-researched. In the hospital setting, economic choices and logistic problems result in poor quality of food in general, and particularly in fresh F&Vs. As hospital geriatricians, we set out to address the issue of F&V intake in elderly hospitalized patients, for whom we felt F&Vs might be beneficial in association with a protein and energy-dense diet. RECENT FINDINGS: In the community and in nursing homes, F&V consumption is associated with better overall food intake and improved quality of life in older patients. SUMMARY: General inspection of the literature suggests that F&Vs may be beneficial to elderly hospitalized patients, but no clinical studies have been conducted. There is a need to address the question of the impact of improved quality and quantity of F&Vs on quality of life, total food intake and constipation, particularly in hospitalized elderly patients who often stay in hospital for long periods. Positive results might help to promote F&V consumption in diverse populations, with the objective of improving eating pleasure for better health.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Regular intake of fruit and vegetables (F&Vs) has been widely recommended to improve the health of the population. Observational studies show a preventive effect of long-term consumption of adequate nutrients on cancer, diabetes, dementia and other age-related diseases. However, the short-term impact of F&V intake in more specific populations has been under-researched. In the hospital setting, economic choices and logistic problems result in poor quality of food in general, and particularly in fresh F&Vs. As hospital geriatricians, we set out to address the issue of F&V intake in elderly hospitalized patients, for whom we felt F&Vs might be beneficial in association with a protein and energy-dense diet. RECENT FINDINGS: In the community and in nursing homes, F&V consumption is associated with better overall food intake and improved quality of life in older patients. SUMMARY: General inspection of the literature suggests that F&Vs may be beneficial to elderly hospitalized patients, but no clinical studies have been conducted. There is a need to address the question of the impact of improved quality and quantity of F&Vs on quality of life, total food intake and constipation, particularly in hospitalized elderly patients who often stay in hospital for long periods. Positive results might help to promote F&V consumption in diverse populations, with the objective of improving eating pleasure for better health.
Authors: Lorenzo Maria Donini; Eleonora Poggiogalle; Maria Piredda; Alessandro Pinto; Mario Barbagallo; Domenico Cucinotta; Giuseppe Sergi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-05-02 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Annemijn Visscher; Marieke C E Battjes-Fries; Ondine van de Rest; Olga N Patijn; Mascha van der Lee; Nienke Wijma-Idsinga; Gerda K Pot; Peter Voshol Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-10-23 Impact factor: 3.921