Diet requires less land use, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to diets high in red meat and processed foods
Foods included in the planetary health diet: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, unsaturated plant oils from sources like olives and canola
New study links Planetary Health Diet to lower rates of premature death and environmental sustainability
People with highest adherence to diet were 30% less likely to die prematurely compared to those with lowest adherence
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that following the Planetary Health Diet, which emphasizes a variety of minimally processed plant foods and modest consumption of meat and dairy, can lead to lower rates of premature death from heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. The diet also has environmental benefits as it requires less land use, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to diets high in red meat and processed foods.
According to the study, people whose eating habits most closely adhered to the planetary health diet were 30% less likely to die prematurely compared to those with the lowest adherence. The diet was also found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29%, lower cropland use by 51%, and reduce fertilizer needs by 21%. Some specific foods that are part of the planetary health diet include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and unsaturated plant oils from sources like olives and canola.
The study was inspired by a report from the EAT-Lancet Commission in 2019 which focused on addressing the need to sustainably feed an increasing global population. The findings show just how linked human and planetary health are, as eating healthfully boosts environmental sustainability and vice versa.
It's important to note that individual dietary needs may vary, and it's always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of reducing food waste and adopting better agricultural practices as part of a sustainable food system.
The Planetary Health Diet is linked to a 30% lower risk of premature death compared to those with the lowest adherence.
Following the Planetary Health Diet has a substantially lower environmental impact, including 29% lower greenhouse gas emissions and 51% lower land use.
The diet emphasizes a variety of minimally processed plant foods but allows for modest consumption of meat and dairy foods.
Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts are to be increased in consumption. Red meat, sugar, refined grains are to be decreased in consumption.
A planetary health plate should consist of about half a plate of vegetables and fruit with the other half consisting mostly of whole grains, plant protein sources, and optional modest amounts of animal sources of protein.
New study suggests that a diet consisting of mostly minimally processed plant foods such as nuts, beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil, with modest amounts of meat, fish, eggs and dairy can lead to lower rates of premature death from heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases.
People whose eating habits most closely adhered to the planetary health diet were 30 percent less likely to die prematurely compared to people who ate the lowest amounts of foods that form the basis of the planetary health diet.
Planetary health eaters had a 10 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, a 14 percent lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular diseases, a 47 percent reduction in the risk of dying from lung disease, and a 28 percent lower likelihood of dying of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Women whose eating habits closely aligned with the planetary health diet had a 38 percent lower risk of dying of infectious diseases.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
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Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
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Fallacies
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The author makes several assertions based on scientific studies and data. There are no explicit fallacies found in the article. However, there is an appeal to authority with the mention of the EAT-Lancet Commission and their Planetary Health Diet. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that 'food production accounts for about 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide' and 'Most of the cropland in America is used to grow just two crops – corn and soy – that are fed to livestock.' These statements may be factually correct but they create a negative image of animal agriculture and meat consumption, which could be seen as inflammatory.
The planetary health diet, in broad strokes, encourages people to eat more plants and whole foods alongside small portions of meat and dairy.
People whose eating habits most closely adhered to the planetary health diet were 30 percent less likely to die prematurely compared to people who ate the lowest amounts of foods that form the basis of the planetary health diet.
The Planetary Health Diet can lower the risk of premature death by 30% according to a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The diet reduced the risk of every major cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and lung disease for research participants.
High adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29% as well as lowering cropland use by 51% and reducing fertilizer needs by 21%.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains a few inflammatory rhetorical statements and appeals to authority but no formal or informal fallacies. The author presents the benefits of the Planetary Health Diet without providing opposing viewpoints or evidence, which could be seen as an appeal to authority. Additionally, phrases such as “Shifting how we eat can help slow the process of climate change” and “The findings show just how linked human and planetary health are” employ inflammatory rhetoric. However, these instances do not significantly impact the overall message of the article.
Shifting how we eat can help slow the process of climate change.
The findings show just how linked human and planetary health are.
Researchers estimate that about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, 40% of land use and 70% of freshwater use is tied to the production of food.
A planetary health diet that's heavy on plants including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes and unsaturated oils from sources like olives and canola along with modest amounts of dairy, poultry, fish and other foods derived from animals is proposed.
If the whole world were to embrace a diet like this along with adopting better agricultural practices and reducing food waste, greenhouse gas emissions would be cut roughly in half.
The number of premature deaths around the world would fall by up to 24% if everyone followed this diet, equating to about 11 million deaths per year that wouldn't happen.
Compared to the 20% of people with the lowest index scores, the 20% with the highest scores were 23% less likely to die for any reason during the study period.
Eating more whole grains, fruit, poultry, nuts, soy and unsaturated fats were each associated with a lower risk of death. On the other hand, eating more starchy vegetables like potatoes, red or processed meats, eggs, saturated fats, added sugar or sugar from fruit juices were each associated with a higher risk of death.
The diets of those with the highest scores required 21% less fertilizer, 51% less cropland and 13% less water and produced 29% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
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Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
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Fallacies
(90%)
The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority without providing evidence. It also dichotomously depicts a specific diet as either environmentally sustainable or detrimental to health. However, no formal fallacies were identified.
. . . the strain will only grow as Earth’s population climbs toward the 5 billion mark by 2050.
If the whole world were to embrace a diet like this — along with adopting better agricultural practices and reducing food waste — greenhouse gas emissions would be cut roughly in half, the scientists calculated when they introduced their eating plan in 2019.
The researchers hypothesized that the higher a person’s PDHI score, the lower their risk of being among the deceased.
Closely following a planet-friendly diet reduces the risk of premature death by nearly one-third in people and cuts the release of greenhouse gases.
Eating a planet-healthy diet can cut land use by 51%, greenhouse gas emissions by 29% and fertilizer use by 21%.
One adult cow can emit up to 500 liters of methane a day, contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Adherence to the planetary health diet was associated with lower risks of neurodegenerative mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease (for nonsmokers).
The top 10% of people who followed the Eat-Lancet planetary diet were 30% less likely to die prematurely from any cause than those in the bottom 10%.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(90%)
The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It does not contain any formal logical fallacies or dichotomous depictions.
Eating more whole plant foods, less animal foods, and less highly processed foods is better for people and planet alike
One adult cow, for example, can belch or fart up to 500 liters of methane a day... they can generate nearly 15% of total global greenhouse gas emissions
Changing how we eat can help slow climate change, and fortunately what’s healthiest for the planet is also best for us
The top 10% of people who followed the Eat-Lancet planetary diet were 30% less likely to die prematurely from any cause than those in the bottom 10%
