Associations between food and beverage groups and the risk of diet-related chronic disease (DRCD) have been the subject of intensive research in preventive nutrition. Pooled/meta-analyses and systematic reviews (PMASRs) aim to better characterize these associations. To date, however, there has been no attempt to synthesize all PMASRs that have assessed the relationship between food and beverage groups and DRCDs. The objectives of this review were to aggregate PMASRs to obtain an overview of the associations between food and beverage groups (n = 17) and DRCDs (n = 10) and to establish new directions for future research needs.

The present review of 304 PMASRs published between 1950 and 2013 confirmed that plant food groups are more protective than animal food groups against DRCDs. Within plant food groups, grain products are more protective than fruits and vegetables. Among animal food groups, dairy/milk products have a neutral effect on the risk of DRCDs, while red/processed meats tend to increase the risk. Among beverages, tea was the most protective and soft drinks the least protective against DRCDs. For two of the DRCDs examined, sarcopenia and kidney disease, no PMASR was found. Overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes, and various types of cardiovascular disease and cancer accounted for 289 of the PMASRs.

There is a crucial need to further study the associations between food and beverage groups and mental health, skeletal health, digestive diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Citerank: (14) 349166Department for Environment, Food & Rural AffairsDEFRA is the UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on environmental, food and rural issues.58D3ABAB, 371565Long term downward trend in total energy intake from all food & drinkTotal energy intake per person was an average of 2192 kcal per person per day in 2012, 4.4 per cent lower than in 2010. This is a statistically significant downward trend that confirms the longer term downward trend already apparent since the mid 1960s.648CC79C, 371566Intake around 5% higher than Estimated Average Requirement for adultsTotal energy intake from all food and drink is around 5 per cent higher than the Estimated Average Requirement for adult intakes.648CC79C, 371567Eatwell plate comparison for low income and all householdsHousehold food purchases do not generally match the Government recommended Eatwell plate proportions of the types of food which make up a well balanced diet. Both low income households and all households have a relatively similar diet in terms of the Eatwell Plate categories.648CC79C, 371567Eatwell plate comparison for low income and all householdsHousehold food purchases do not generally match the Government recommended Eatwell plate proportions of the types of food which make up a well balanced diet. Both low income households and all households have a relatively similar diet in terms of the Eatwell Plate categories.648CC79C, 371568Eating out accounts for only around 10% of average energy intakeThe average energy intake from eating out accounts for only around 10 per cent of total energy intake. The total energy intake per person was an average of 2192 kcal per person per day in 2012, and the energy intake from eating out was 220 kcal per person per day in 2013.648CC79C, 371569UK purchases of not-low calorie soft drinks are fallingHousehold purchases of soft drinks were 3.1 per cent lower in 2013 compared to 2010, a fall of 54 grams per person per week. Within this category, household purchases of ‘not low calorie soft drinks’ are on a downward trend since 2010 and fell by 23 per cent between 2010 and 2013 from 1139 to 878 grams per person per week.13EF597B, 399726Use subsidies to encourage healthier choicesGoverrnment food subsidies should promote healthier food ranges (eg fruit/vegetables).565CA4D9, 399786Eating out accounts for only around 10% of average energy intakeThe average energy intake from eating out accounts for only around 10 per cent of total energy intake. The total energy intake per person was an average of 2192 kcal per person per day in 2012, and the energy intake from eating out was 220 kcal per person per day in 2013.648CC79C, 399854Eatwell plate comparison for low income and all householdsHousehold food purchases do not generally match the Government recommended Eatwell plate proportions of the types of food which make up a well balanced diet. Both low income households and all households have a relatively similar diet in terms of the Eatwell Plate categories.648CC79C, 399854Eatwell plate comparison for low income and all householdsHousehold food purchases do not generally match the Government recommended Eatwell plate proportions of the types of food which make up a well balanced diet. Both low income households and all households have a relatively similar diet in terms of the Eatwell Plate categories.648CC79C, 399938Long term downward trend in total energy intake from all food & drinkTotal energy intake per person was an average of 2192 kcal per person per day in 2012, 4.4 per cent lower than in 2010. This is a statistically significant downward trend that confirms the longer term downward trend already apparent since the mid 1960s.648CC79C, 399939Intake around 5% higher than Estimated Average Requirement for adultsTotal energy intake from all food and drink is around 5 per cent higher than the Estimated Average Requirement for adult intakes.648CC79C, 399969UK purchases of not-low calorie soft drinks are fallingHousehold purchases of soft drinks were 3.1 per cent lower in 2013 compared to 2010, a fall of 54 grams per person per week. Within this category, household purchases of ‘not low calorie soft drinks’ are on a downward trend since 2010 and fell by 23 per cent between 2010 and 2013 from 1139 to 878 grams per person per week.13EF597B