Lack of Whole Grains and Fruit Among Top Diet Risks Behind 11 Million Deaths, Study Finds

Poor diet was behind 11 million deaths worldwide in 2017, and not eating enough whole grains and fruit were two of the three biggest dietary risks, a major study in The Lancet has found. Low whole grain intake was linked to around 3 million deaths and low fruit intake to around 2 million, alongside high salt at around 3 million.

The analysis, part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 led by Dr. Ashkan Afshin at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, estimated food intake across 195 countries from 1990 to 2017. It was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The striking message is that missing out on healthy plant foods matters more than many of the foods we are usually warned about. Dr. Afshin said in IHME's press release:

Dietary policies focusing on promoting healthy eating can have a more beneficial effect than policies advocating against unhealthy foods.

So add before you subtract: a bowl of oatmeal, whole-grain bread, an extra piece of fruit and a handful of nuts are easy wins.

It comes after a Lancet review linked higher fiber intake to a 15-30% lower risk of death and disease, the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet and Canada's new plant-forward food guide.

Eat more plants, live longer. Simple!