Summary
This integrated global modelling analysis examined the simultaneous health and environmental impacts of three approaches to sustainable diets—motivated by environmental, food security, and public health objectives—across more than 150 countries. Using comparative risk assessment and country-specific environmental footprinting, the authors found that replacing animal-source foods with plant-based alternatives was particularly effective in high-income countries for improving nutrient adequacy and reducing premature mortality. The study provides a rare joint analysis of diet sustainability across health and environmental dimensions at regional scale.
UK applicability
As a high-income country, the United Kingdom could expect substantial health and environmental benefits from increased plant-based food consumption aligned with the study's findings. The results may inform revision of UK dietary guidelines and food policy, though local food system capacity and nutritional vulnerabilities in specific populations would require additional national assessment.
Key measures
Nutrient adequacy against international recommendations; mortality from nine diet and weight-related risk factors; greenhouse gas emissions, cropland use, freshwater use, nitrogen application, and phosphorus application
Outcomes reported
The study modelled changes in nutrient intake adequacy, diet-related and weight-related chronic disease mortality, and environmental footprints (greenhouse gas emissions, cropland use, freshwater use, nitrogen and phosphorus application) across three sets of dietary scenarios in over 150 countries.
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