Scientists at Tufts University have identified 10 foods that are key to significantly cutting your risk of dying early due to heart disease, which is responsible for half of all US deaths along with stroke and Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Assocation, identified foods that contributed most to the risk, and eating more — or less, in some cases — resulted in a much lower risk of heart disease.

The top key food on the list is salt, which was associated with 9.5 percent of deaths. Cutting back on salt can have the biggest impact on your health and wellbeing, the researchers said. That was followed on the list by red meat and processed meats, linked to 8 percent of deaths. Sugary drinks came in third, being attributed to 7.4 percent of deaths.

So what can you eat more of and be healthier? Seafood, whole grains, fruits and vegetables topped the list. Scientists found that diets that were low in these foods made up 6 to 8 percent of the deaths from heart disease and diabetes.

The statement reads: “Exposures Consumption of 10 foods/nutrients associated with cardiometabolic diseases: fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, unprocessed red meats, processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), polyunsaturated fats, seafood omega-3 fats, and sodium.”