What is planetary health diet? Harvard study says it could be key to living longer

New Delhi: The planetay health diet is a term recently coined for a diet which focuses on a variety of minimally-processed foods. But at the same time, it allows room for moderate intake of dairy and meat. This diet was created by the EAT-Lancet Commission as part of a report published in The Lancet on January 16, 2019. As per the EAT-Lancet Commission, this diet routine is beneficial for humans and the planet alike. Published in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the benefits of planetary diet also include longevity, as per Harvard University experts. Read on to know the many pros of following this routine.

What is the planetary health diet?

The planetary health diet is a largely plant-based diet including foods like:

Whole grains
Vegetables
Fruits
Nuts
Dairy
Legumes
Meat

Meat and dairy are supposed to be consumed in smaller portions when following this diet. Ideally, an average adult needs 2500kcal in a day basis their activity levels, age, gender and health.

How does planetary health diet affect longeivty?

Harvard researchers evaluated the health data of over 200000 men and women and also enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Researchers chose participants who were free of amjor chronic diseases when the study kicked off and all participants were asked to complete questionnaires every four years for up to 34 years of age. Participants’ diet was also scored on the basis of intake of 15 food groups including vegetables, poultry, whole grains and nuts in accordance with the planetary health diet. The study’s findings also confirmed that the risk of premature death was 30% lower in the top 10% group of participants who were closely following the diet as compared to the rest who were not.

Researchers also found that the key cause of early death in this case was heart diseases, lung diseases, and cancer. And these were particularly lower in those who followed the planetary diet.

Is the planetary health diet good for the planet?

Researchers say that the planetary health diet has the lowest impact on the planet and the environment. It is largely associated with lower greenhouse gas emission, low cropland use and low fertiliser needs. Climate change is one of the biggest ecologist disasters that currently poses a risk to all.