British scientists say forget the five-a-day mantra - three to four servings of fruit, vegetables and beans is enough to reduce the risk of dying prematurely.

Their new study shows in terms of life expectancy, there is no extra benefit to be gained from increasing fruit and vegetable consumption from four to five a day.

The researchers say eating three to four servings of fruit, vegetables and legumes per day reduces the risk of death by 22 per cent, compared with lower consumption levels.