Read our Privacy noticeA 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% 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. Researchers wrote: “At present, all national diets deviate substantially from the planetary health diet, but a shift to this pattern could avert approximately 15 million deaths per year (27% of total deaths worldwide). “The planetary health diet set out in this report is associated with improved health outcomes – and research that we have funded also supports such a diet for people after a cancer diagnosis. The report said governments can take action to promote healthy food, including through taxes on unhealthy products, while offering subsidies for fruit and vegetables.