A recent study showed that people who consumed more vegetables during childhood would be less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome later in life.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of disorders that include elevated waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, elevated fasting blood glucose, reduced HDL (cardio protective cholesterol), and recently added- elevated CRP (C-reactive protein) which is an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome increases risk of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Just another reason to eat your veggies!