New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS): A plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, along with moderate consumption of poultry and eggs, can not only improve human health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases but also help protect the planet, according to a new report by the Lancet Commission released on Friday.
The report highlights that food systems are central drivers of some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from chronic diseases and inequality to accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. Food production alone contributes nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while also driving land use change, freshwater depletion, nutrient pollution, and the spread of pesticides and antibiotics.
Adopting the Planetary Health Diet (PHD)—a flexible, plant-rich dietary framework—provides a science-backed approach for a sustainable and healthy future. When combined with global efforts to reduce food loss and waste by half, the PHD could improve public health, restore planetary ecosystems, and provide sufficient food for a projected 9.6 billion people by 2050.
The report estimates that shifting global diets could prevent around 15 million premature deaths annually by lowering rates of diet-related chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
“Food systems are a major contributor to many of the crises we face today, and at the same time, the key to solving them,” said Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Commission co-chair and director for nutrition, health, and food security at CGIAR. She added, “The evidence is clear: the world must act boldly and equitably to ensure sustainable improvements. The choices we make today will determine the health of people and the planet for generations.”
First introduced in 2019, the PHD emphasizes plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, while allowing moderate intakes of animal-sourced foods including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. It also advises limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and salt.
Adhering to the PHD has been linked to significant reductions in major chronic diseases and an estimated
