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You know how important it is to eat a healthy diet. Yet only about 12% of Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits every day, and only 10% get the recommended amount of vegetables. So, I keep dishing up evidence of how important it is in the hopes that more of you will decide to have at least seven (nine is better) servings of fruits and veggies daily.

Here are two new reports that scream the importance of a plant-based diet. The first is one on the dangers of ultra-processed foods. A study in Nutrition and Metabolism found that for young adults ages 17 to 22, every 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption is associated with a 64% higher risk of prediabetes and a 56% higher risk of problems with blood sugar regulation. Since ultraprocessed foods make up more than half of the calories most Americans consume, you can see how inevitable it is that many younger people develop prediabetes and full-blown Type 2 diabetes -- along with the life-shortening complications they cause.

The second study shows that a diet loaded with sweets, red meats and processed meats boosts your risk of developing Parkinson's disease. No wonder the estimated number of new cases of PD annually has gone up 50% -- from around 60,000 new cases to 90,000. In contrast, eating more fruits -- especially citrus -- appears to be protective.

Do I have your attention? Good. Now dive into the amazingly tasty, health-protecting recipes in my "What to Eat When Cookbook" and visit 4YOUngevity.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.