Adhering to the Planetary Health Diet may cut the risk of premature death by 30%, according to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study found that this plant-based diet lowers the risk of major causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, and lung disease, while also benefiting the environment.
Dr. Walter Willett, co-author of the research and chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, emphasized that healthier eating habits can help combat climate change and improve human health. The Planetary Health Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and sustainable choices, featuring a plate half-filled with fruits and vegetables, and the other half with whole grains, unsaturated plant oils, and plant protein sources, along with modest amounts of animal protein.
The study examined data from over 200,000 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Participants who closely followed the Planetary Health Diet had a 30% lower risk of premature death. Additionally, adherence to this diet reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 29%, cropland use by 51%, and fertilizer needs by 21%.
Experts like Dana Hunnes, PhD, and Christopher Gardner, PhD, advocate for the Planetary Health Diet, highlighting its dual benefits for personal health and environmental sustainability. They suggest that this diet could motivate individuals to make lasting dietary changes for the collective good.
The Planetary Health Diet shares similarities with other health-promoting diets like the Mediterranean, pescatarian, vegetarian, and DASH diets, offering a promising path to reduce chronic disease and enhance global health.
