LONDON: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, and low in meat and dairy, could prevent up to 15 million deaths globally every year, according to a new analysis published by the 2025 Eat-Lancet Commission.
Researchers found that adopting the planetary health diet — an eating pattern designed for both human health and environmental sustainability — can reduce the risk of premature death by 27 percent while lowering the incidence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
The study emphasized that such a diet not only promotes longevity and disease prevention but also plays a vital role in combating the climate crisis by reducing food-related emissions and conserving natural resources.
What the planetary health diet includes
The planetary health diet focuses on foods that support both individual health and environmental balance. It recommends:
Whole grains: Around 150g daily (three to four servings)
Fruits and vegetables: 500g daily (at least five servings)
Nuts: 25g daily (one serving)
Legumes: 75g daily (one serving)
Animal foods (moderate portions):
- Red meat: Up to 200g weekly (one serving)
- Poultry: Up to 400g weekly (two servings)
- Fish: Up to 700g weekly (two servings)
- Eggs: Three to four per week
- Dairy: Up to 500g daily (one serving of milk, yogurt, or cheese)
The diet also calls for limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and salt, commonly found in processed foods, to minimize the risk of chronic diseases.
Global health and environmental benefits
According to the commission, current national diets deviate substantially from this model. However, a global shift toward the planetary health diet could avert approximately 27 percent of all annual deaths worldwide and significantly reduce rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Experts said the benefits go beyond health. The diet would lower demand for resource-intensive foods like red meat, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water use — aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health, climate, and food security.
If adopted globally alongside strong climate policies, the diet could cut food system emissions by more than half, equivalent to removing the output of all coal-fired power plants worldwide.
Expert perspectives
Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, welcomed the findings, saying:
“The commission provides welcome clarity on the vital challenge of supporting healthy diets that are sustainable and accessible to all. The planetary health diet aligns improved health outcomes with environmental responsibility. Now, governments must act to make such diets affordable and achievable.”
Commission Co-Chair Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, highlighted the urgency of transforming global food systems:
“How we produce and consume food affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the health of communities. Changing our diets is essential for both planetary and human survival.”
Call for policy action
The report urges governments to take policy-level measures such as taxing unhealthy foods and subsidizing fruits and vegetables to make healthy diets accessible to all. It also recommends protecting forests, wetlands, and biodiversity to sustain global ecosystems.
Researchers stressed that while enough food is produced globally, around 3.7 billion people still lack reliable access to nutritious food or a clean environment, while the wealthiest 30 percent account for nearly 70 percent of environmental pressure from global food systems.
The planetary health diet, experts concluded, represents a roadmap toward healthier populations and a sustainable planet, bridging the gap between nutrition, equity, and environmental protection.
