A plant-based diet is better for our health than an animal-based diet. In fact, studies have shown us that more consumption of fruits and vegetables is better for our heart health, gut health, the ageing brain and it also reduces the risk of all-cause mortality amongst other benefits.
Eating more fruits and vegetables is not only beneficial for us on an individual basis but it is also beneficial for our planet.
A major new study confirms that consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables is better for our planet that a diet high in animal products.
This is the first study which investigates the environmental impacts of our diets and farm production methods used for the food we consume.
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The researchers obtained information on food consumption and food intake ratios from 34,442 French adults with the help of a food frequency questionnaire, which included information on organic food consumption for each group.
They used a provegetarian score to determine preference for plant-based or animal-based products.
The researchers also conducted a production lifecycle environment impact assessment at farm level against three environmental indicators: gas emissions, cumulative energy demand and land occupation.
They analysed associations between provegetarian scores, the level of organic food intake and environmental indicators.
The researchers found that people with diets rich in plant-based foods were more likely to be older urban dwellers, to hold a higher degree in education, and to be characterized by an overall healthier lifestyle and diet.
They also found that diet-related environmental impacts were reduced with a plant-based diet particularly greenhouse gas emissions. There were even more environmental benefits for organic food consumption in a plant-based diet. However, the consumption of organic food in a predominant animal-diet did not add any significant environmental benefits.
Organisations like the U.N. advocate the consumption of plant-based diets and to reduce the consumption of animal-based diet for the sustainability of this planet. This is due to the high energy consumption in livestock farming and also because of the significant contribution to greenhouse gases from livestock. Intensive livestock farming is also harmful to biodiversity due to the increasing need to convert natural habitats into farming land for grass and feed crops.
Taking a step back to assess your diet and adopting a more plant-based diet especially orh=ganic plant-based will pave the way for a healthy body and a healthy planet.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition
