A diet made up of non-processed, plant-based food and a modest amount of meat and dairy can lower your risk of early death by 30%, a new study has demonstrated.
Researchers have found that the planetary health diet is associated with a reduced risk of premature death.
During the study, the team of scientists analysed the health data of roughly 200,000 people who filled in surveys to outline their diets.
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They discovered that the participants following the planetary health diet were less likely to develop cancer, heart disease and lung disease compared to those on other meal plans.
In addition, they have found that the planetary health diet is also beneficial for the environment as it can reduce a person’s greenhouse gas emissions by 29% and their land use by 51%.
Lead author Walter Willett said: “Climate change has our planet on track for ecological disaster, and our food system plays a major role.
“Shifting how we eat can help slow the process of climate change. And what’s healthiest for the planet is also healthiest for humans.”
He added: “The findings show just how linked human and planetary health are. Eating healthfully boosts environmental sustainability, which in turn is essential for the health and well-being of every person on earth.”
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The planetary health diet is best described as a flexitarian diet that is predominantly plant-based but may include modest amounts of fish, meat and dairy.
It encourages variation in vegetable and fruit intake by promoting different colours and focuses on unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats.
The study is available in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
