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Eating more portions of fruit and vegetables than the recommended ‘5 a day’ does nothing to add years to our lives, according to researchers.

The latest study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined the association between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of premature death. Its findings contradict recent research which found that eating ‘7 a day’ holds the lowest risk of death.

Consuming five portions of fruit or vegetables is linked to a lower risk of premature death, but eating more portions appears to have no further effect, the new study has concluded.

Researchers from China and the US analysed 16 studies involving more than 830,000 participants. Higher consumption of fruit and vegetables was significantly associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, particularly cardiovascular disease.

They found the average risk of death from all causes was reduced by about 5% for each additional daily serving of fruit and vegetables. But once a person had consumed five portions, there was no additional benefit noted for extra portions.

Current NHS guidance is to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

A previous study in England found eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day was healthier than the minimum five currently recommended and could prolong lives.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "The majority of people in England are not eating enough fruit and vegetables with the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) data from 2008 to 2012 showing that only 30% of adults and 41% of older adults met the five-a-day recommendation.

"Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is high in fruit, vegetables and fibre and low in saturated fat, sugar and salt, alongside being more active, will help you to maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.