The effects of fruit and vegetables in conjunction with low-energy diet as 
adjuncts to a prudent diet were compared for 6 months in a randomized, single 
blind trial in the management of 202 group A and 204 group B patients with acute 
myocardial infarction. Dietary intakes were obtained based on weighing of fruit, 
vegetable and legume intake and weekly diet diaries. After 6 months of 
follow-up, mean body weight, waist/hip ratio and glucose intolerance fell 
significantly in patients in group A compared with those in group B. Body weight 
declined by 5.3 kg in group A versus 2.2 kg in group B (95% confidence interval 
of difference (CI) 1.28-4.92), waist/hip ratio decreased by 0.05 in group A and 
0.02 in group B (95% CI 0.01-0.10), and glucose intolerance decreased by 0.85 
mmol/l in group A versus 0.19 mmol/l in group B (95% CI 0.19-1.21). There was a 
significant net decrease in serum triglycerides (0.18 mmol/l), systolic and 
diastolic blood pressures (7.9/4.7 mmHg), and a net increase in high-density 
lipoprotein cholesterol (0.10 mmol/l). Underlying these changes, group A 
patients had 393 g/day net increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables 
and 1,160 kJ/day net decrease in energy intake compared to these changes in 
groups. Those who made greater changes in diet also had greater improvements in 
central obesity, glucose intolerance and in other associated disturbances.