How Not to Die

Why I'd hand it to you

Michael Greger, a physician, goes through fifteen leading causes of death and the foods that research suggests may help prevent or slow them. He backs every claim with studies and recommends a whole-food, plant-based diet, with a daily checklist of foods to eat. It is detailed, hopeful and practical. The caution: Greger is an advocate, not a neutral reviewer, and critics argue he tends to emphasize studies that support plant-based eating. The book is also long and dense with citations. You don't have to go fully plant-based to benefit from eating more vegetables, beans and whole grains, and most doctors would agree with that part.

— Matt Jordan