Consumption of English-style diet ‘could save lives across the UK’

A study carried out by researchers at Oxford University has stated that lives could be saved across the UK if residents were to consume a healthy, English-style diet.

The report, which was published in the British Medical Journal, discovered death rates for heart disease, stroke and cancer are lower among English people, while highlighting nutrition as a causal factor for many illnesses.

Researchers found eight out of ten unnecessary deaths from the three conditions could be prevented in Wales and Northern Ireland if residents consumed the "average" English diet.

Additionally, it was discovered that high quantities of salt and fat were eaten across the three countries, while English people focused more on healthy fruit and vegetables.

The findings were presented after obesity expert Dr Nadim Haboubi told BBC News a tax on fatty foods would help to reduce the number of overweight individuals in Wales.

He suggested such a move would need to involve input from the government, health professionals and supermarkets.