2023-11-16 14:42:19
November 16, 2023
They are known to boost our physical and mental health. They participate in the oh-so-vital concept of sustainable development, and in the discovery of tastes. Fruits and vegetables have everything going for them and still remain insufficiently consumed. Zoom with Jean-Pierre Cravedi, president of the APRIFEL Scientific Council, on all of these benefits and on the avenues for reflection to finally succeed in making fruits and vegetables everyday foods.
The Agency for Research and Information in Fruits and Vegetables (APRIFEL) created the international EGEA conference in 2003. A true scientific meeting, it brings together players in the food industry, institutions and scientists from various backgrounds. With the aim of sharing all knowledge regarding fruits and vegetables. The last edition held this fall focused on the concept of “One Health”, or “one health” in French.
Human health inseparable from the health of animals, plants and the environment
The “One Health” approach » deciphers Jean-Pierre Cravedi, president of the APRIFEL Scientific Council, “ means not dissociating human health from that of other species, animal or plant, and more broadly, from that of our place of life, the Earth. During the conference, we discussed and debated the interactions between these different components of health and the balance to be found to promote both well-being and sustainable development. We cannot in fact imagine good human health without respect for our environment and the ecosystems that constitute it. We have observed this clearly with recent pandemics. All these elements are extremely intertwined, and their study, although complex, is necessary for an integrated vision of health. »
And when it comes to the consumption of fruits and vegetables, Jean-Pierre Cravedi believes that the impact on the environment can be very powerful. The more plants we eat, the more visible the benefits for the Planet will be. “ Planting our plate allows us to improve our carbon footprint by reducing intensive animal production and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Provided of course that we respect biodiversity, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and rationalize water resources. »
From microbiota to brain health: fruits and vegetables are good for everything
The EGEA conference last September was also an opportunity to provide a scientific update on the benefits of fruits and vegetables on human health. “ The interest was to share this information between professionals from various backgrounds: doctors, researchers, farmers, restaurateurs, producers, etc. Generally speaking, everyone agrees that fruits and vegetables are essential for health prevention », specifies Jean-Pierre Cravedi. “ Our microbiota, for example, which interacts with many organs, needs fiber to function well. However, fibers are mainly found in plants. That’s not all, all the scientific data converges to demonstrate the benefits for good health of the brain and the cardiovascular system. »
What ideas to boost consumption?
If indeed the list of benefits linked to fruits and vegetables is endless, however, consumption is not skyrocketing. “ There are obstacles, notably the perception of how expensive fruits and vegetables are today. And also insufficient mobilization of public authorities to promote them », affirms Jean-Pierre Cravedi. “ And as strange as it may seem, in Europe, there are no health claims for fruits and vegetables while certain industrial products benefit from them. It’s a no–sense ! Without forgetting the hype linked to junk food. From these observations can arise concrete solutions that we must bring to the institutional level. This was also one of the objectives of the EGEA conference which also brought together the European Commission, the WHO, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)… »
Tips: What if we adopted the fruit and vegetable reflex
Whether you lack time, ideas, find them bland or your family is angry with them, a few simple tips allow you to include more fruits and vegetables in your daily life:
- Seasoning, the little extra that makes the difference: fresh herbs, spices or even peppers, allows you to reveal the flavors of the vegetables, boost their taste and tempt the whole family.
- Long live raw for those in a hurry: Like fruits, many vegetables can be eaten just rinsed and cut into strips. Place them on a slice of cheese or a pizza to add freshness to a quick meal.
- Always within reach: To eat fruits and vegetables without even thinking regarding it, leave a basket of fruit on the table and invite vegetables to every meal – raw vegetables as an aperitif, salad or soup with a quiche and that’s it. .
More tips for adopting the fruit and vegetable reflex, click here
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Source : Interview with Jean-Pierre Cravedi, November 2023
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Written by : Emmanuel Ducreuzet – Edited by: Vincent Roche
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