Boston, Massachusetts – A new study reveals that adopting a planet-friendly diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can significantly reduce the risk of premature death by almost one-third while also helping to combat the devastating effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, emphasizes the importance of consuming more whole plant foods and less animal products and highly processed foods for both personal health and environmental sustainability.
According to the study, food production, especially livestock farming for human consumption, plays a crucial role in the climate crisis, contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution. Livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, emit methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the planet over a span of 20 years.
The study further highlights that transitioning to a planet-healthy diet can reduce land use by 51%, greenhouse gas emissions by 29%, and fertilizer use by 21%, while also extending the lives of individuals. Professor Walter Willett from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that changing dietary habits can not only slow down climate change but also benefit human health in various ways.
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission introduced a diet aimed at promoting human health while minimizing the environmental impact of global food production. The diet emphasizes increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins while reducing meat and dairy intake. A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition analyzed data from over 200,000 individuals to evaluate their adherence to the EAT-Lancet guidelines.
Researchers found that individuals following the planetary diet were significantly less likely to die prematurely from any cause compared to those who did not follow the diet closely. The top 10% of individuals complying with the dietary recommendations had a 30% lower risk of premature death than the bottom 10%. Additionally, those closely following the diet showed a reduced risk of mortality from neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases.
The study underscores the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, highlighting how dietary choices can impact both personal well-being and environmental sustainability. Embracing a planet-healthy diet not only benefits individuals but also plays a vital role in ensuring a healthier future for all inhabitants of Earth.