Planet-friendly diet rich in whole grains cuts risk of early death by third - New study

• The eco-friendly Planetary Health Diet is made of plant-based protein sourced, fruits and vegetables 

• This diet has environmental benefits for the planet and health benefits for people

• In a new study, researchers said the diet can lower the risk of premature death by 30%

Following a planet-friendly diet of mostly plant-based whole foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits  reduces the risk of premature death by nearly one-third in people while also dramatically cutting the release of greenhouse gases harmful for the planet, according to a new research.

The study was published this week in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The researchers claim the Planetary Health Diet reduced the risk of every major cause of death, including heart disease, lung disease and cancer for the study participants.

They add the plant-based diet can also help the environment.

Dr. Walter Willett, a co-author of the research and the chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Massachusetts, said in a press release: “Shifting how we eat can help slow the process of climate change. And what’s healthiest for the planet is also healthiest for humans.”

“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 wellbeing of every person on Earth,” he added.

What kind of diet is environmentally friendly?

The eco-friendly diet is known as the Planetary Health Diet. It includes a variety of plant-based foods like whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits as well as foods that are sustainable for the environment.

A planetary meal should consists of half portion vegetables and fruits. The other half of the meal should includes whole grains, unsaturated plant oils like extra virgin olive oil, plant protein sources like legumes, and at times optional small amounts of protein from animal sources.

Plant-based foods and protein sources provide essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre and healthy fat like mega-3 fatty acids that our body needs to be healthy and prevent chronic disease.

The Planetary diet also reduces the consumption of red and processed meat which have higher environmental impact. They are also associated with dangerous diseases like colorectal cancer and heart disease.