Eating a Planet-Friendly Diet Reduces Mortality Risk by 25%, Study Finds
A new study has found that adopting a planet-friendly diet not only reduces the carbon footprint but also lowers the risk of mortality by 25%. The research, which draws on scientific literature, introduces the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), a scoring system that combines environmentally-friendly foods with those that support better health. The goal is to create a simple tool to help policymakers and public health practitioners develop strategies to improve public health and address the climate crisis.
Linh Bui, a researcher at the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explains that a sustainable diet should not only be healthy but also align with greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental parameters. To develop the index, the study utilized the EAT-Lancet reference diet, which considers the environmental impact of food production practices, as well as data from two large cohort studies involving over 100,000 participants in the United States.
The results of the study show that individuals who follow a more environmentally-friendly diet are 25% less likely to die over a follow-up period of more than 30 years compared to those who consume less sustainable foods like eggs or red meat. Specifically, higher PHDI scores were associated with a 15% reduced risk of death from cancer or cardiovascular disease. The benefits were even more pronounced for neurodegenerative and respiratory diseases, with a 20% and 50% lower risk of death respectively.
Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, the study by Linh Bui highlights that the PHDI index does not necessarily encompass all food products and their associations with major diseases across different countries. It acknowledges that individuals with specific health conditions, religious restrictions, or limited food accessibility due to socioeconomic status may face challenges in adhering to a sustainable diet. The research team encourages further studies to elucidate and address such barriers.
This study provides valuable insights into the important relationship between diet, environmental impact, and health outcomes. By adopting a planet-friendly diet rich in wholegrain cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and unsaturated oils, individuals can improve their health while reducing their carbon footprint. Nonetheless, it’s essential to consider individual circumstances and diverse dietary needs when promoting sustainable dietary patterns. Further research and efforts are necessary to overcome potential barriers and ensure the accessibility of these dietary choices for all.
