Simulation of the fruit and vegetable intakes meeting the dietary reference intakes of Japanese adults from the National Health and Nutrition Survey

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with a reduced risk of noncommunicable diseases, however, few studies have assessed the necessary intake of fruits and vegetables to meet nutrient reference values for the dietary reference intake. This study aimed to estimate the amount of fruit and vegetable intake necessary to meet the reference values of the dietary reference intakes of Japanese people for selected nutrients using the current national dietary intake data for the Japanese adults. We used the data from 4927 Japanese adults aged 20 years and over who participated in the dietary survey in the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Nine scenarios (70-90% of Japanese adults consuming between 100 and 200 g of fruit) were used to predict the recommended average intake of fruits and vegetables that met the reference values of the dietary reference intakes of Japanese people for dietary fibre, vitamin A, and potassium as fruits and vegetables are the main sources of these nutrients. The scenario in which more than 90% of adults consumed 200 g of fruits per day would almost meet the values in the dietary reference intakes of Japanese people for dietary fibre and vitamin A excluding potassium. The estimated average intake of fruit and vegetables in this scenario was 200 g and 350 g, respectively. Our scenarios demonstrated that an intake of 200 g of fruits and 350 g of vegetables, which have previously been reported to reduce disease risk, would be sufficient to meet the values in the dietary reference intakes of Japanese people of most nutrients, mainly obtained from fruits and vegetables. Further research is needed to examine policies and interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in the Japanese population.