How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

By Gene Stone, Michael Greger M.D. FACLM and Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

New York Times Bestseller

“This book may help those who are susceptible to illnesses that can be prevented.”
—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“Absolutely the best book I’ve read on nutrition and diet”
–Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones Solution

From the physician behind the wildly popular Nutrition Facts website, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can help prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death.


In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the internationally-renowned nutrition expert, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America--heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more--and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to help prevent and reverse these diseases, freeing us to live healthier lives.

The simple truth is that most doctors are good at treating acute illnesses but bad at preventing chronic disease. The fifteen leading causes of death claim the lives of 1.6 million Americans annually. This doesn't have to be the case. By following Dr. Greger's advice, all of it backed up by strong scientific evidence, you will learn which foods to eat and which lifestyle changes to make to live longer.

History of prostate cancer in your family? Put down that glass of milk and add flaxseed to your diet whenever you can. Have high blood pressure? Hibiscus tea can work better than a leading hypertensive drug-and without the side effects. Fighting off liver disease? Drinking coffee can reduce liver inflammation. Battling breast cancer? Consuming soy is associated with prolonged survival. Worried about heart disease (the number 1 killer in the United States)? Switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet, which has been repeatedly shown not just to prevent the disease but often stop it in its tracks.

In addition to showing what to eat to help treat the top fifteen causes of death, How Not to Die includes Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen -a checklist of the twelve foods we should consume every day.Full of practical, actionable advice and surprising, cutting edge nutritional science, these doctor's orders are just what we need to live longer, healthier lives.

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Published Dec 8, 2015

576 pages

Average rating: 8.62

26 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Shelli Armstrong
Jul 19, 2026
6/10 stars
4.5 Stars for the information. Super informative with lots of suggestions to be more knowledgeable about the food you eat, where it comes from, and how it helps your body. While the book argues for a more and mostly plant-based diet, it never supports any one diet or lifestyle choice (veganism). The arguments come from scientific studies meant for your to make more informed decisions.

I listened to this on audio, so the stars reflect that. Dr. Greger is the voice actor as well as the author and I disliked his reading style. The way the chapters are set up too seem a little redundant over-emphasizing his arguments in every. single. chapter.
occs_
Oct 19, 2025
6/10 stars
Pushes the “plant-based” agenda too hard as if it were the “fix all” solution plan to all illness/disease.
CRUDDYC
Jul 24, 2024
7/10 stars
A complete book about what you need to eat and avoid in order to further your longevity and prioritise your health on various levels.
aduplain
Mar 06, 2024
I love everything nutrition and I’ve recently reread it after my breast cancer diagnosis
Katina Anne
Feb 29, 2024
10/10 stars
great read

Details how a plant based diet can treat different chronic illnesses. Very inspiring and includes many details I didn’t know before.

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