Flavanols Make the Difference: Why Five a Day Isn’t Always Heart-Protective

A large international study suggests that heart protection depends not just on how much fruit and vegetables you eat, but on which ones you choose, due to flavanol intake. Most people fall short of the flavanol levels (about 500 mg daily) linked to lower cardiovascular mortality, even when meeting general fruit/veg targets. The study highlights flavanol-rich foods like plums, cranberries, blackberries, green tea, apples with skin, and beans, and suggests dietary guidance may need to specify food choices to maximize heart benefits.