Harvard study approves the 'Planetary Health Diet' good for the planet and human health. Deets inside

According to a new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, following a sustainable diet can reduce the risk of premature death and environmental impact. This research introduces the 'Planetary Health Diet' (PHD).

PHD is a diet that mainly focuses on processed plant foods while allowing for moderate consumption of meat and dairy. Here is some more info on the same!

The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, assesses the long-term effects of following the Planetary Health Diet. Researchers used health data from over 2,00,000 participants in the Nurses' Health Study I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They followed the patterns of the participants over 34 years. Diets were scored based on adherence to the PHD, which includes whole grains, vegetables, poultry, and nuts.

What are the findings?

Findings revealed that participants in the top 10% of PHD adherence had a 30% lower risk of premature death. The report also revealed that those with the highest PHD adherence had lower environmental impacts, with 29% lower greenhouse gas emissions, 21% lower fertiliser needs, and 51% lower cropland use.

What is the PHD diet?

According to EAT-Lancet Commission, the Planetary Health Diet is a plant-forward diet where whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes form a major part of what you eat. Meat and dairy constitute important parts of the diet but play less important roles than whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes.

The diet suggests that an average adult requires 2,500 kcal per day. However, this amount varies with age, gender, activity levels and health profiles.

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