Small changes can cut disease risk, study claims

A recent report has suggested that small changes in diets can reduce the chances of developing diseases.

Problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer could be avoided by making simple switches in foodstuffs, such as exchanging strawberries for raspberries, the report claimed.

However, Liz O'Neil, head of communications at the Vegetarian Society, encouraged people to maintain a wide range of foodstuffs in their diet in order to gain the most nutritional value from their meals.

"Everyone should focus on eating a varied diet with plenty of different vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses and other kinds of food," said Ms O'Neil.

She added: "It's all about balance and focusing on the specific nutritional qualities of a single foodstuff is something of a distraction."

In February, the Office for National Statistics revealed that only 25 per cent of men and 29 per cent of women are meeting the government's five-a-day guidelines when it comes to fruit and vegetables.

Small changes can cut disease risk, study claims

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