One fifth of deaths around the world in 2017 were linked to poor diet according to a new study.

The Global Burden of Disease study, published in the Lancet Journal, found that between 10 and 12 million deaths were linked to dietary risk factors in 2017.

That equates to a fifth of deaths around the world, making a poor diet more dangerous than smoking, which is responsible for around eight million deaths a year.

The study found the vast majority of diet-related deaths are due to heart disease, followed by cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

"Equal opportunity killer"

“Poor diet is an equal opportunity killer,” said Dr Ashkan Afshin, lead author on the study.

“We are what we eat and risks affect people across a range of demographics, including age, gender, and economic status.”

Eating high levels of sodium – often found in processed and salted foods – accounted for around three million deaths.

The failure to eat enough grains also led to around three million deaths, while a low intake of fruits led to around two million.

“Our assessment shows that the leading dietary risk factors for mortality are diets high in sodium, low in whole grains, low in fruit, low in nuts and seeds, low in vegetables, and low in omega-3 fatty acids,” the authors wrote.

Healthy eating

They said the findings suggest that focusing on increasing the amount of grains, fruits, vegetables nuts and seeds we eat could be more effective than focusing on reducing sugars, salts and processed foods.

“We are highlighting the importance of low consumption of healthy foods as compared to the greater consumption of unhealthy foods,” said Dr Afshin.

“Dietary policies focusing on promoting healthy eating can have a more beneficial effect than policies advocating against unhealthy foods.”

Agriculture

The study warns that “extensive changes” to food production systems are “urgently needed” at a regional, national and international level.

It argues that “a growing body of evidence” has emerged in recent years hto highlight  that shifting from “unhealthy animal-based foods” like red meat and processed meat to “healthy plant-based foods” may be associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions and “thus might be more environmentally sustainable.”

The study examined that consumption of key foods across 195 countries.

Ireland had the 24th highest number of dietary-related deaths – just ahead of Britain in 25th.