'Only 4 Percent Of New Mums Eat Enough Fruit And Veg'

A new study suggests that the vast majority of women don't consume enough fruit and vegetables to meet local health guidelines, and researchers are warning that this could end up affecting the immune systems of their children.

Researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University collected breast milk samples and a three-day dietary record from about 90 women.

They found that only four percent of lactating women had dietary habits that met the Department of Health's recommendation to consume at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day.

Researcher Wong Man-sau said the level of beneficial carotenoids in breast milk was higher in those who consumed more fruit and vegetables.

"Some of the nutrients are good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. These properties of chemicals will certainly be useful for prevention of diseases and important for the growth of babies," she said.

Wong added that lacking one or more nutrients may weaken the immune system of infants, and may also increase their risk of getting chronic diseases in the future.

The researcher said vegetables like Chinese flowering cabbage, spinach and sweet potatoes, are especially rich in carotenoids, but mothers should take in different kinds of fruit and vegetables.

"Almost every kind of vegetable is good for long-term health, so the recommendation should be taking in a variety of them and a sufficient serving size."