Fruit and veg: how much is enough?

A new study provides fresh evidence that eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day lowers the chance of an early death. But does eating more than five portions work even better? Perhaps not.

What do we know already?

It’s familiar advice - eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day for good health. This is based on studies suggesting that people who eat more fruit and vegetables are less likely to get many illnesses, including heart disease and cancer, and tend to live longer.

However, there’s debate over just how many portions of fruit and vegetables is ideal. Although the Department of Health recommends eating five or more portions a day, a study published earlier this year suggests that people who eat at least seven portions a day have an even lower chance of dying early. So who’s right?