Unhealthy diets kill more people globally than smoking cigarettes, study says
- Research found that 11 million people die each year around the world due, at least in part, to certain foods or lack thereof
- Israel ranked in the top spot in terms of the least number of diet-related deaths. France and Spain ranked second and third
Too much salt – and not enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables – may be shaving years off our lives, a new analysis suggests.
In a study published in the journal Lancet, researchers looked at people’s eating habits across 195 countries to estimate how much poor diets contribute to mortality. Their findings? That 11 million people die each year around the world due, at least in part, to certain foods or lack thereof, according to the study.
Lead author Ashkan Afshin, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington, said the researchers estimated that overall, poor diets are responsible for more deaths around the world than any other risk factor, including cigarette smoking, known to be one of the greatest threats to public health.
The problem, he said, is not only what people are eating; but it’s also what they’re not eating. The study estimated that globally, three million deaths were attributed to too much sodium – but another three million deaths were attributed to too little whole grains and another two million deaths to too little fruit.
Experts say it confirms what health professionals have been teaching for years – a balanced diet is important for a long, healthy life.