Why your five-a-day diet could be missing a key heart health nutrient

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFewer than one in five individuals get enough flavanols in their diets (PA)Researchers have suggested that people, even those consuming five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, may be missing out on a key nutrient. Fewer than one in five individuals get enough flavanols in their diets, which are a type of antioxidant that can support heart health and boost circulation by reducing inflammation.Dr Javier Ottaviani, lead author of the study published in the journal Food and Function, said: “Flavanols can significantly reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, but only if you consume enough of them. Most people assume that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables covers this, but what this research shows is that the specific choices you make matter far more than the total amount.”Key sources of flavanols include plums, cranberries, blackberries, green tea, broad beans and cherries.Although some small trials have shown flavanols can have a positive effect on blood pressure, there is insufficient evidence for eating more flavanol-rich foods.In fullYou might be eating five portions of fruit and veg a day – but it still might not be enoughThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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