Mirmiran P, Bakhshi B, Hosseinpour-Niazi S, et al. - Since the connection between fruit and vegetable intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is controversial, researchers explored the link between the identified patterns of fruits and vegetables and MetS incidence, and ascertained if lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status modify the impact of the patterns on MetS risk. They prospectively analyzed 1,915 candidates from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, aged 19–74 years, and used a validated, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to follow up for dietary assessment. Total vegetable intake was inversely associated with the risk of MetS after adjustment for confounding factors. Four major patterns of fruits and vegetables were identified by factor analysis: “fresh fruit pattern”, “vegetable pattern”, “dried fruit and cruciferous vegetable pattern”, and “potatoes and fruit juice pattern”. “Vegetable pattern” was negatively correlated with MetS risk, and “potatoes and fruit juice pattern” increased MetS risk. All four identified patterns reduced MetS risk among participants with weight gain < 7% during follow-up. Reducing the risk of MetS caused by intake of fruits and vegetables depends on the lifestyle modifying effect and socioeconomic factors.