“This study provides some of the strongest and most rigorous data thus far to support the connection that better diets may lead to higher fitness,” said Dr Michael Mi, one of the study’s authors.

“In middle-aged adults, healthy dietary patterns were strongly and favourably associated with fitness even after taking habitual activity into account.”

Of course, it’s worth noting that those who move more may be inclined to eat a better diet, so more research is needed to confirm the link highlighted by this study. It’s also important to remember that a healthy diet, no matter how beneficial, cannot completely replace the cardiovascular benefits that come from regular exercise.

However, if one thing’s for sure, this research is another reminder of just how big an impact our diet can have on our overall health.

Eating a healthy diet could be equivalent to walking 4,000 extra steps a day