Guwahati, Aug. 31 -- David Benton, Swansea University

When scientists cracked the human genome in 2003 - sequencing the entire genetic code of a human being - many expected it would unlock the secrets of disease. But genetics explained only about 10% of the risk. The other 90% lies in the environment - and diet plays a huge part.

Worldwide, poor diet is linked to around one in five deaths among adults aged 25 years or older. In Europe, it accounts for nearly half of all cardiovascular deaths.

But despite decades of advice about cutting fat, salt or sugar, obesity and diet-related illness have continued to rise. Clearly, something is missing from the way we think about food.

For years, nutrition has often been framed in fairly simple t...