A recent study followed over 200,000 individuals for up to 34 years, finding that a diet rich in vegetarian foods was linked to a lower risk of premature death and environmental impact. This planetary diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods while allowing for some meat and dairy, has been shown to have significant health and environmental benefits.
The study found that those who adhered most closely to the planetary diet had over a 30% lower risk of premature death compared to those who deviated the most. This reduced risk was seen across all major causes of death, such as cancer and heart disease. In addition to the health benefits, the study also found that those following the planetary diet had lower greenhouse emissions, reduced need for fertilizers, and decreased use of farmland. These findings have implications for the environment as it could help reduce the need for intensive agricultural practices and promote reforestation efforts.
The researchers who originally developed the planetary diet estimated that adopting it could prevent 11 million premature deaths annually. This study provides long-term evidence supporting these benefits and sets it apart from previous research that only evaluated diets at one time point. The planetary diet is not only beneficial for human health but also contributes to sustainable food systems and environmental preservation by emphasizing plant-based foods and reducing reliance on animal products.
