An Orange a Day?

To the ever-growing list of reasons to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, add this: Doing so may help protect against rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers in Norfolk, England studied 73 people ages 45 to 74 who had the disease in two or more joints. Compared to arthritis-free people in the same age group, the arthritis sufferers ate much less produce, and, specifically, took in much less vitamin C. A diet low in fruits and veggies doubled the likelihood of arthritis; low C nearly quadrupled the risk.

The researchers believe the vitamin’s antioxidant power may control the inflammation that leads to arthritis, though they were surprised to see that other antioxidants they looked at, including vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium, seemed to have little or no effect. So if you’re looking to head off rheumatoid arthritis, which tends to run in families, put oranges, cantaloupe, and red peppers (which have even more C than oranges) at the top of the shopping list.