Insufficient fruit and veg intake is a top 10 risk factor contributing to what outcome?

• A. Global mortality, approximately 2.7 million deaths worldwide.
• B. Heart disease
• C. Stroke
• D. Diabetes

Answer: (A)

Low fruit and vegetable intake acts as a major global risk factor because it influences multiple pathways that lead to death. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that help reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol and glucose control, and support overall cardiovascular and metabolic health. When intake is too low, populations experience higher rates of several leading causes of death—most notably cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions—so the combined impact shows up in global mortality figures. The estimate of about 2.7 million deaths worldwide reflects this broad death burden, not just a single disease. While low intake certainly raises risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, the outcome being measured is overall mortality, making global deaths the best fit.