Vitamin and nutrient preparations are considered a hit in advertising. They bring sales not only in pharmacies, but also in supermarkets and drugstores. At the top of the list are so-called „A-C-E“ preparations, whereby the advertisement addresses above all persons like smokers, who are exposed to a higher cancer risk, or persons with one-sided eating behavior. The daily vitamin tablet is to calm the bad conscience. At the same time, the impression is conveyed that our foods are no longer able to provide us with sufficient nutrients. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) has long held against it: „Many observational studies prove: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, a high fiber content and relatively low fat contributes to the protection against nutrition-related diseases Nutrient preparations are only below it is therefore advisable for specialists and certain risk groups. „Experts therefore recommend fruit and vegetables 5 times a day“ and also recommend whole-grain products as well as sea fish and dairy products on a regular basis. Vegetable foods such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains offer a great variety, and are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fiber as well as phytochemicals. This is especially true for vegetables and whole grains, while fruit mainly supplies vitamin C.
Protection against diseases
Herbal foods make a significant contribution to the protection against nutrition-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis, cancer or obesity. The cancer-preventing effect of fruits and vegetables is based on a variety of protective substances such as the antioxidant against cancerous diseases Vitamins C, beta-carotene and E, fiber, selenium and bioactive substances such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, isothiocyanates or plant sterols. „Probably that is not individual ingredients or certain fruits and vegetables alone bring health benefits, but the variety of fruits and vegetables, a low-fat diet and abundant whole-grain products, „experts from DGE, German Cancer Society and State Medical Association Hesse.
