Researchers from The University of Manchester’s Medical School have discovered that eating more brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables like oranges, carrots and sweetcorn may help reduce the risk of developing inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

Previous studies have suggested that vitamin C and the pigment beta-cryptoxanthin, both of which are found in brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables, may act as antioxidants, and protect the body against the oxidative damage which can cause inflammation.

Researchers analysed health questionnaires and diet diaries by over 25,000 45-74 year-olds, completed as part of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation of Cancer) Norfolk study of diet and chronic disease in the 1990s. They then followed-up the participants over a nine-year period to identify new cases of inflammatory polyarthritis (IP), including rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr Dorothy Pattison, who led the research, said: “We found that the average daily beta-cryptoxanthin intake of the 88 patients who had developed inflammatory polyarthritis was 40% lower than those who hadn’t, and their intake of another carotenoid, zeaxanthin, was 20% lower.

“Those in the top third for beta-cryptoxanthin intake were only half as likely to develop IP as those in the lowest third, and vitamin C was also found to be an important factor.”

The findings appear to confirm previous evidence that a modest increase in fruit and vegetables containing beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C, equivalent to one glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice each day, might help to protect against developing inflammatory joint diseases.

Dr Pattison has previously published research which found that both low intakes of fruit and vegetables (in particular those high in vitamin C), and high levels of red meat consumption were associated with an increased risk of developing IP.

University of Manchester, Aug 17, 2005