The general recommendation for fruit intake is to consume about 2 to 5 servings of fruit per day. One serving is approximately 80 grams or about 1 cup of fruit, roughly the size of a tennis ball
. Health authorities vary slightly in their guidelines:
- The USDA recommends about 2 servings of fruit daily for the average adult
- The American Heart Association suggests 4 to 5 servings per day
- The UK NHS and Australian guidelines also align with around 5 portions of combined fruits and vegetables daily, with a portion of fruit being about 80 grams
Studies show that eating 2 to 5 servings of fruit daily is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer
. Consuming more than 5 servings per day does not seem to provide additional benefits but is generally safe
. In summary, aiming for about 2 to 5 servings of fruit per day, as part of a balanced diet including vegetables, is optimal for health.