Re-balancing Diet Can Increase Life Expectancy

9 Apr 2019

Re-balancing Diet Can Increase Life Expectancy

A study published in the journal 'The Lancet' says that a re-balancing of diet can help people live better in almost every region of the world.
Key Facts

It reviewed trends from the *Global Burden of Disease taking into account the consumption of fifteen dietary factors from 1990 - 2017 in 195 countries.
 	The study was conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of  Washington, USA. 
 	It reported that one in five deaths globally (approximately 11 million people) are related to poor diet.
 	Diets with high levels of fats, sugary drinks, sodium, red and processed meats and low levels of whole grains, fruits and green leaves and vegetables are what contribute to this.
 	Poor diets also increase the chances of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Some observations of the study were:

High intake of sodium (above 3gm per day) was a major dietary risk in China, Japan and Thailand.
 	Low intake of whole grains (below 125g per day) in the USA, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Egypt, Germany, Iran, and Turkey.
 	Low intake of fruits  (below 250g per day) caused dietary risks in Bangladesh.
 	In Mexico, low intake of nuts and seeds (below 21g per day).

Researchers say that the magnitude of diet-related diseases highlights the ineffectiveness of existing campaigns on diet and nutrition occurring worldwide under various international and regional organisations. This study proposed a complete re-framing of dietary habits around the world.

*The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) is a regional and global research program of disease burden that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors.

Key Facts

It reviewed trends from the *Global Burden of Disease taking into account the consumption of fifteen dietary factors from 1990 – 2017 in 195 countries.
The study was conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, USA.
It reported that one in five deaths globally (approximately 11 million people) are related to poor diet.
Diets with high levels of fats, sugary drinks, sodium, red and processed meats and low levels of whole grains, fruits and green leaves and vegetables are what contribute to this.
Poor diets also increase the chances of cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Some observations of the study were:

High intake of sodium (above 3gm per day) was a major dietary risk in China, Japan and Thailand.
Low intake of whole grains (below 125g per day) in the USA, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Egypt, Germany, Iran, and Turkey.
Low intake of fruits (below 250g per day) caused dietary risks in Bangladesh.
In Mexico, low intake of nuts and seeds (below 21g per day).

*The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) is a regional and global research program of disease burden that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors.