Why is "five a day" so important?

Eating five fruits and vegetables each day is important because these foods supply the body with minerals, vitamins, fiber and trace elements that can prevent disease. Diseases related to nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy, can be prevented by consuming five fruits and vegetables a day.

Depression and cancer can also be avoided by eating adequate servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables are the main ingredients that protect and heal the body from disease. Phytonutrients are most abundant in vegetables and fruits that are bright in color. These include apricots, spinach, berries, carrots and sweet potatoes.