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Recent global assessments of the food system reveal that fewer than 1% of individuals consume diets beneficial to both the planet and human health.
Nevertheless, adopting a healthier dietary approach could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths annually and could decrease global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20%.
The findings are part of a 2025 Report by the Eat-Lancet Committee, which consolidates insights from nutritionists, climate experts, economists, physicians, social scientists, and agricultural scholars from over 35 countries.
The research team evaluated the effects of current food systems on human health and the environment, concluding that food production poses risks to five crucial Earth systems that are essential for human survival.
These five critical threats include climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and human-induced contaminants like pesticides and microplastics.
However, transforming the food system to ensure healthy diets for everyone could restore these systems to a safe state and enhance human well-being.
“If everyone adopts a healthy diet, by 2050, 100 billion people could sustain themselves on 7% less land than what is currently utilized,” stated Dr. Fabrice Declerck, EAT’s Chief Science Officer, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “This has never happened in the history of food production. We have very few resources needed to feed more individuals.”
Scientists have estimated that 6.9 billion individuals consume excessive amounts of food, particularly meat, dairy, sugar, and ultra-processed items, while 3.7 billion struggle to find access to nutritious food.
As a result, the report advocates for adherence to a planetary health diet (PhD), which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
In a PhD, half of your plate should consist of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while 30% should be dedicated to whole grains. The remaining portion should be a protein source, with a focus on legumes like beans and lentils.
Meat, fish, and dairy are optional within the PhD framework, with established limits, but the diet allows for flexibility. For instance, one can remain within guidelines even with a weekly intake of up to 200g of beef.
Declerck notes that the diet is adaptable to individual tastes, encouraging people to incorporate their cultural preferences.
“In fact, I believe traditional diets often more accurately reflect health,” he mentioned.
Currently, only 1% of individuals meet the report’s dietary suggestions. Declerck emphasized that scientists are not ready to pinpoint the locations of these individuals, given the numerous variations among countries.
“But these individuals reside in societies where they can access healthy diets and earn a livable wage,” he added.
Declerck further remarked that the best examples of healthy eating are often found in middle-income countries, particularly within the Mediterranean basin, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
For middle-income nations, the challenge lies in avoiding a shift toward a Western diet while maintaining cultural dietary traditions.
Amidst concerns regarding the climate crisis, Declerck stated that the report presents a “surprising” opportunity to enhance both human health and environmental well-being simultaneously.
“We encourage individuals to consume a wider variety of foods, celebrate their own cultural contributions, explore diverse culinary traditions, and enjoy the richness of food diversity,” he asserted. “This is beneficial not only for your personal health but also contributes significantly to the health of our planet as a whole,” Declerck concluded.
The research’s co-author, Professor Johann Lockstrom, co-chair of the committee and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, stated: “The evidence is irrefutable. It is not only feasible to transform the food system, but it is crucial for ensuring a safe, fair, and sustainable future for all.”
Justice formed another key component of the report, highlighting the fact that the wealthiest 30% of the population accounts for over 70% of food-related environmental impacts.
“Those of us who are unhealthy and walk blocking others’ rights to a secure environment must take action,” the report emphasized.
The findings call for immediate measures to reform the global food system for the benefit of human health, justice, and environmental sustainability.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
