Five-a-day is yesterday's news... The call for seven portions of fruit and veg daily to 'save lives'

Experts say that seven portions of fruit and vegetables daily can prolong lives.

17:17 01 April 2014

In a study which was participated in by 65,226 men and women, it has been found that seven portions of fruit and vegetable daily is much better compared to what is recommended today (just five). The report says that increasing fruit and vegetable intake significantly reduces the risk of dying from cancer and heart disease.

However, the government responded by saying that “five-a-day” is enough and that several people are already struggling to achieve it.

The researchers from the University College of London made use of the National Health Survey, which collects data from people in England each year through questionnaire and nurse visits. The study looked at general mortality as well as death from cancer and concluded that as fruit and vegetable consumption increase, risk of premature death from any cause decreases.

Lead investigator Dr Oyinlola Oyebode said: "The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die - at any age."

Meanwhile, Prof Naveed Sattar, of the University of Glasgow, said promoting a seven-a-day message would be "really challenging".

"It would require governmental support such as subsidising the cost of fruit and vegetables, perhaps by taxing sugar-rich foods, and making available high quality products to all in society," he said.