Rich diet of fruit, veg and nuts hailed as global tonic

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.

The planetary health diet is linked to a 27 per cent reduced risk of premature death, as well as lower levels of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases, a report from 2025 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.

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 15