New research has been carried out into a diet that is somehow said to decrease the chances of premature death.
According to a report published this year, it could bring several health benefits to those who follow the diet to the letter.
The positive here is that it's nothing extreme, doesn't involve anything like intermittent fasting or cutting anything essential out of your daily intake.
Published by the Eat-Lancet Commission, it claimed that 15 million global deaths could be avoided annually, which would mean that the chances of premature death would be decreased by less than 30 percent.
Advert
It details that the rates of cancer, diabeters, heart disease, or other chronic illnesses would lower dramatically if you take the diet on - so what is this magical diet they're talking about?
It's called the planetary health diet, also known as the EAT-Lancet diet, a plant-rich eating pattern that reduces the intake of animal meats, specifically red meats, in favour of prioritising fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
Researchers stated that while 'all national diets deviate substantially from the planetary health diet', this diet could somehow prevent millions of deaths per year.
“Such a transition would reduce the rates of many specific non-communicable diseases and promote healthy longevity,” they added.
Advert
So, what does the diet consist of?
The planetary health diet requires people to eat the following in a day:
- Whole grains - 150g or three to four servings
- Fruit and vegetables - 500g or at least five servings
- Nuts - 25g or one serving
- Legumes - 75g or one serving per day
While the intake of animal foods are decreased, intake of these products should be moderate as listed below, per week:
- Fish - 700g or two servings
- Poultry - 400g or two seervings
- Red meat - 200g or one serving
- Dairy - 500g per day or one seerving of cheese, milk, or yoghurt in a day.
It also suggests to limit surgars, salt, and saturated fats, all of which are often found in processed foods.
Advert
“The commission provides welcome clarity on the vital challenge of supporting healthy diets which are sustainable and accessible to all globally,” Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, stated.
She added that the diet will result in improved health, admitting that they funded research into the diet as it helps people after a cancer diagnosis.
The worry though, is that countries aren't implementing enough policies to improve accessibility to these healthy diets.
The report revealed that current food systems around the world contribute 30 percent to all greenhouse gas emissions, while having a negative impact on things like climate, biodiversity, and fresh water consumption - hence the name, 'planetary health diet'.
Unfortunately though, nearly half of the world's population (3.7 billion people) don't have regular access to healthy food, or earn a living wage.
Advert
Johan Rockstrom, the commission co-chairman and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, explained: "Transforming food systems is a significant environmental and social challenge, but it is a precondition for us to have a chance of returning within a safe climate system and a healthy planet.
“How we produce and consume food affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil that grows our crops, and the health and dignity of workers and communities.”
Findings from the study say that if the whole world shifted to the planetary health diet with strong climate policies in place, greenhouse gas emissions could decrease by over half, which would be the equivalent of removing emissions from all existing coal-fired power plants.
It adds that governments can promote healthy food by imposing taxes on unhealthy products, while offering subsidies for fruit and veg.
Topics: Health, Food And Drink, Science
Joshua Nair