A shocking report came out, in which it was claimed that if people around the world adopted a plant-rich planetary health diet, then 40,000 premature deaths could be avoided every day.

Changing lifestyles and eating habits around the world are having a serious impact on health and the environment. A new and shocking report recently emerged, claiming that if people worldwide adopted a plant-rich, or plant-based, Planetary Health Diet, approximately 40,000 premature deaths could be avoided every day. This diet advocates limiting non-vegetarian food intake and emphasizes the importance of both health and environmental protection. According to this report, the global food system accounts for approximately one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. If people adopt a Planetary Health Diet, climate damage caused by the food system could be halved by 2050. Furthermore, food production is not only the leading cause of wildlife and forest destruction, but also a major contributor to water pollution.

What is the Planetary Health Diet?

The Planetary Health Diet is primarily based on vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses, and whole grains. However, according to this report, some animal products, such as meat, eggs, or milk, may be included in the Planetary Health Diet. Experts say that this diet does not imply any sacrifice; rather, by combining these ingredients, healthy, tasty, and varied foods can be prepared. These foods are beneficial not only for health but also for the environment.

The report claims that excessive consumption of non-vegetarian food is harmful.

This report reveals that eating excessive amounts of non-vegetarian food can be dangerous to our health. It also states that people in the United States and Canada consume seven times more red meat than recommended by the Planetary Health Diet. In Europe and Latin America, this amount is five times higher, and in China, it is four times higher. In some regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, people eat mostly starchy foods. Therefore, eating small amounts of chicken, dairy products, and eggs may be beneficial. The report also states that the world's wealthiest people contribute the largest share of environmental damage from food production. According to the report, the world's wealthiest 30 percent contribute to more than 70 percent of the environmental damage caused by the food system. Meanwhile, 2.8 billion people cannot afford healthy food, and 1 billion are malnourished. Additionally, approximately 1 billion people suffer from obesity.

Benefits of adopting the Planetary Health Diet

The report also suggests that unhealthy food should be expensive, while healthy food should be affordable. Advertising of unhealthy food should be controlled, and warning labels should be placed on it. Additionally, agricultural subsidies should be diverted towards healthy and sustainable food. This will help people gain easy access to nutritious food. Experts say that adopting a planetary health diet reduces the risk of heart problems, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Adopting this diet could prevent 15 million premature deaths annually. Along with changing diets, it is also important to reduce food waste and adopt green farming.