Why 5-A-Day Isn’t Enough: The Essential Micronutrient Missing From Your Diet”

Just as we had gotten used to the idea of eating our five-a-day, new research has revealed that, actually, these five a day need to contain a specific micronutrient to be truly effective.

Now, of course, all fruit and vegetables are good for you and there is no reason to cut any out. However, according to the study, undertaken by scientists from Harvard University and the University of Reading, found that many of us aren’t getting the recommended amount of flavanols that we need every day.

Writing on the University of Reading website, Gunter Kuhnie, a Professor of Nutrition and Food Science says: “Flavanols are a group of compounds that are found in many plants – including apples, berries, plums and even beverages such as tea.”

He adds: “People who eat a diet high in flavanol-rich foods may have better memory compared to those who have a low intake. A study also found that people with a low intake of flavanols were at higher risk of heart disease. Overall, there’s convincing evidence that consuming enough flavanols has health benefits.”

Web MD explains: “Flavanols are also called flavan-3-ols or catechins. Black tea, oolong tea, and chocolate are rich in catechins. They’re also found in fruits, including:

• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Peaches
• Apples
• Pears

Speaking to the BBC, Dell Stanford, from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), says how much flavanol is contained in different products depends on where the food is grown, the climate, its ripeness, and how it is stored or processed – and also on who is eating it.

“Small amounts are absorbed directly. Our gut bacteria help break down flavanols into forms the body can use, but everyone’s gut bacteria are different, so the benefits people get from flavanols may vary too.”

The BHF and the British Nutrition Foundation say the best way to support your heart health is to follow established advice to eat a balanced diet containing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.

The BHF also has a quiz for finding out if you have a healthy diet, and tips on improving your diet to improve heart health.

Brb, brewing some green tea.