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Review
. 2022 Apr 13;14(8):1614.
doi: 10.3390/nu14081614.

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns for Human and Planetary Health

Joshua Gibbs  1 , Francesco P Cappuccio  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns for Human and Planetary Health

Joshua Gibbs et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has acted as a reset on global economies, providing us with the opportunity to build back greener and ensure global warming does not surpass 1.5 °C. It is time for developed nations to commit to red meat reduction targets and shift to plant-based dietary patterns. Transitioning to plant-based diets (PBDs) has the potential to reduce diet-related land use by 76%, diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, eutrophication by 49%, and green and blue water use by 21% and 14%, respectively, whilst garnering substantial health co-benefits. An extensive body of data from prospective cohort studies and controlled trials supports the implementation of PBDs for obesity and chronic disease prevention. The consumption of diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, and unsaturated vegetable oils, and low in animal products, refined grains, and added sugars are associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Meat appreciation, health concerns, convenience, and expense are prominent barriers to PBDs. Strategic policy action is required to overcome these barriers and promote the implementation of healthy and sustainable PBDs.

Keywords: chronic disease prevention; human health; planetary health; plant-based diet; sustainability.

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Conflict of interest statement

F.P.C.: Past president, the British and Irish Hypertension Society (2017-9) (unpaid); Member, Action on Salt and World Action on Salt, Sugar and Health (unpaid); Head, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Nutrition (unpaid); Senior Advisor, WHO (received travel, accommodation, per-diem, refund of expenses); OMRON Academy (received speaker fees, travel, accommodation, expenses); annual royalties from Oxford University Press (OUP) for two books on topics unrelated to salt. J.G. declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of the planetary and human health benefits associated with the adoption of plant-based dietary patterns. Abbreviations: CVD, cardiovascular disease; GHG, greenhouse gas; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; T2D, type 2 diabetes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The main barriers to widespread adoption of plant-based dietary patterns.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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