Popular diets like Mediterranean, Keto, South Beach and The Zone are trendy for weight loss, sustainability and health benefits.
Some studies indicate plant-based diets lower the risk of chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
New research suggests individuals who eat more environmentally friendly foods may live longer and help to preserve the Earth.
Higher Diet Score Equals Lower Mortality Rate
The study references the Planetary Health Diet, developed in 2019 by the EAT-Lancet Commission.
This diet emphasizes filling your plate with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. This plan also recommends eating smaller portions of meat, fish, eggs, refined cereals and tubers.
Researcher Linh Bui, MD, commented on the study in an American Society for Nutrition release. Bui is a PhD candidate in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“We proposed a new diet score that incorporates the best current scientific evidence of food effects on both health and the environment,” Dr. Bui said. “The results confirmed our hypothesis that a higher Planetary Health Diet score was associated with a lower risk of mortality.”
Based on this diet plan, researchers created their own Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI). The index looked at results from 100,000 people in two large U.S. studies. The data covered 30 years.
People with higher index scores had lower risks of death from cancer or cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disease and respiratory diseases.
The study discovered that following this diet plan’s food suggestions benefits the environment in multiple ways. It reduces greenhouse gases, land and water use, as well as nutrient pollution.
Schedule Your CRC Screening
Protecting the planet and protecting your health are important goals for everyone.
Did you know colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States? Everyone is at risk for this disease, regardless of age.
You can protect your colorectal health by eating a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding alcohol and not smoking. Experts agree the most effective way to reduce your risk of CRC is with regular screenings.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that anyone at average risk get screened for colorectal cancer starting at 45. If you have a family history of the disease or a history of precancerous polyps, get screened earlier. If you have digestive complaints, talk to your doctor regardless of your age. It is important you have troublesome symptoms evaluated.
Although stool tests are options for colon cancer screening, colonoscopy is the preferred method. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist examines the entire length of your colon for polyps or abnormalities. Doctors can detect and remove precancerous polyps in the same procedure.
Our doctors perform colonoscopy screenings at ambulatory surgery centers around the country. Find a center near you and schedule this life-saving procedure for your health.