Global diet shifts slash heart disease deaths—but not everywhere

Wealthy regions slashed heart disease deaths by eating better—but in Africa, processed foods are fueling a deadly rise. The global nutrition divide has never been starker.

, and Administrator

2026 April 5 . 11:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a poster with text that reads "healthy eating may reduce your risk of some kinds of... — The image shows a poster with text that reads "healthy eating may reduce your risk of some kinds of cancer" and a variety of food items, including a piece of bread, a strawberry, and some grapes.

Global diet shifts slash heart disease deaths—but not everywhere

Diet-related deaths from ischemic heart disease have fallen sharply in wealthy regions since 1990. Western Europe saw a 70% drop, while high-income North America recorded a 64% decline. Yet globally, poor diets still caused over four million deaths from the condition in 2023 alone. Ischemic heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2023, it accounted for nearly 97 million lost healthy life-years. Diet is a major risk factor that can be changed through better food choices.

Since 1990, some regions have made significant progress. Australia and its surrounding area reduced diet-related deaths from the disease by 77%. Western Europe and North America followed with declines of 70% and 64%, respectively. Healthier eating habits, such as plant-based diets and lower sugar intake, have driven these improvements.

In contrast, sub-Saharan Central Africa experienced a 21% rise in diet-related deaths from ischemic heart disease over the same period. Urbanisation and climate change have shifted diets toward processed imports and staples like maize and rice. Meanwhile, industrialised nations continue to struggle with high consumption of processed meats and sugary drinks.

Globally, the biggest dietary risks include low intake of nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fruit, along with excessive sodium consumption. The gap between regions highlights how dietary changes can save lives. While wealthier nations cut deaths by shifting toward healthier foods, poorer areas face growing risks from processed and nutrient-poor diets. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies to improve nutrition worldwide.