Planetary Health Diet Cuts Risk of Premature Death

The Planetary Health Diet has been shown to reduce the risk of premature death by 30%, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This huge study involved following almost 200,000 participants in the US from 1986 until 2018. It found that the Planetary Health Diet decreased the risk of premature death from many causes, including cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions among both men and women. Among women (but not men), the diet also reduced the risk of dying from infectious diseases.

In 2019, a panel of 36 scientists from 16 countries formed the EAT-Lancet Commission to create a diet that both improved human and environmental health. The diet emphasizes minimally-processed, whole plant foods with a modest allowance for meat and dairy. This diet is also designed to minimize the environmental impact of food production. According to the study, the Planetary Health Diet diminished green house gas emissions by almost one-third and fertilizer use by 21%.

In my opinion, this diet has some similarities to the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes consumption of minimally-processed plant foods (vegetables, fruits, grains), modest consumption of seafood and poultry, and low consumption of red meats.