Fruit, veg and nut diet 'could prevent around 15 million deaths...'

A DIET rich in fruit and vegetables and low in meat and dairy could prevent around 15 million deaths across the globe each year, new analysis shows.

- JANE KIRBY

The “Planetary Health Diet” is linked to a 27% reduced risk of premature death, as well as lower levels of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases, a 2025 report from the Eat-Lancet Commission said.

This diet is mostly made up of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and legumes such as lentils and kidney beans, with only moderate or small amounts of fish, dairy and meat.

Researchers wrote: “At present, all national diets deviate substantially from the Planetary Health Diet, but a shift to this pattern could avert approximately 15 million deaths per year (27% of total deaths worldwide).

“Such a transition would reduce the rates of many specific noncommunicable diseases and promote healthy longevity.”

Experts pointed to environmental benefits of the diet, saying it could reduce demand for resource-intensive foods such as red meat, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions and land and water use.

The diet recommends people eat whole grains (around 150g or three to four servings per day), fruit and vegetables (500g or at least five servings per day), nuts (25g or one serving per day) and legumes (75g or one serving per day).