Eating five portions of fruit and veg a day has the biggest effect in saving lives of any dietary guideline, new research has suggested.

Around 33,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone in the UK followed dietary guidelines, according to researchers at Oxford University.

Only a third of Britons consume enough fruit and veg, with the worst results in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The UK daily guidelines are to eat five portions of fruit and veg, no more than 6g of salt, and keep saturated fat to 10 per cent of total energy intake.

Eating five portions of fruit and veg a day would save 15,000 lives, including 7,000 from heart disease, almost 5,000 from cancer and around 3,000 from stroke, the research suggests.

The research was based on a computer model linking food consumption with mortality from heart disease, stroke and cancer and appeared in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Public health experts at the University of Oxford used it to analyse data for 2005 to 2007 from a variety of studies in the UK looking at links between diet and deaths.

Fresh Produce Consortium ceo Nigel Jenney said: “We welcome the findings of this new research from Oxford University which reinforces the importance of eating 5 A DAY as part of a healthy diet and demonstrates that fresh produce really can help save lives.

“The industry provides a wide range of affordable fresh produce all year round and encourages people to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables through the Eat In Colour campaign.

“The government must do more to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to meet the challenges of rising obesity levels and poor diet. This research reinforces the importance of fresh produce in both national or regional government policies such as public sector food procurement and the future of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme to establish vital healthy eating habits at an early age.”

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