In a new report published in the BMJ, researchers assess the evidence supporting healthy diet recommendations. The BMJ Group’s Nutrition Advisory Panel reviewed previously published research on diet and health and found that the best way to reduce the risk of cancer is to maintain a normal range of weight, exercise regularly, avoid heavy alcohol consumption and eat less red meat. There is no magic food that prevents cancer. Although a low-fat diet may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels, the effect of a low-fat diet on healthy people is unclear. People who maintain a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop heart disease and certain types of cancer and are more inclined to live longer. One study found that people with this diet had 3-4 fewer deaths per 1,000 people per year. Daily intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the effect is minimal. One study showed that people who ate five servings of fruit a day reduced their risk of heart disease by 6 per 1,000 compared to people who ate less than three servings of fruit a day. Anna Sayburn, chief nutrition advisor for the BMJ Group, explains, “It’s easy to get confused about healthy eating when we hear all sorts of stories about cancer-causing or cancer-curing foods, or see complicated recipes in magazines about celebrities. So we felt it was important to discuss the scientific basis for healthy eating recommendations. For people with the disease, we already have a wealth of information that can help them decide on their treatment options. We want to apply the rigorous criteria of our evidence assessment to help healthy people make healthy dietary choices and help people stay healthy.”