Women who reported consuming the most fruits and vegetables (8 to 9 servings a day for a 2,000-calorie diet) in their 20s were 40% less likely to have calcified plaque in their arteries in their 40s compared with those who ate the least amount (3 to 4 servings a day) during the same time period.

This association persisted even after researchers accounted for other lifestyle behaviors, as well as for their current-day diets, further demonstrating the role dietary patterns at younger ages may play.