Planetary Health Diet and Mediterranean Diet Linked to Comparable Advantages for Survival and Sustainability

Milan, Italy – April 4, 2025 – In a significant finding presented at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2025 conference, researchers have unveiled that two distinct plant-based diets, the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) and the Mediterranean Diet, offer comparable advantages in reducing all-cause mortality while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. This research is particularly pertinent in a context where diet is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor influencing cardiovascular health and overall longevity.

The alarming statistics from the European region indicate that dietary choices contribute substantially to cardiovascular disease mortality. Estimates reveal that optimizing diet could prevent one in every five premature deaths, spotlighting the urgency for effective dietary recommendations. Stemming from this urgency, the study aimed to compare the health and environmental effects of the PHD—a relatively new dietary framework established to align food consumption with sustainable environmental practices—and the Mediterranean Diet, a long-established eating pattern known for its health benefits, particularly in Mediterranean countries.

The Planetary Health Diet, tailored for a global audience, emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated oil, while advocating for moderate consumption of dairy products, white meats, and fish. It restricts saturated fats, red meat, and added sugars, which have been linked to various health complications including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The holistic approach of the PHD is designed to support not only individual health but also the health of the planet, setting it apart from traditional diets.

Conversely, the Mediterranean Diet has long been celebrated for its rich inclusion of seasonal fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, with olive oil as the primary fat source. It encourages a diet that is not only nutritious but also flavorful, allowing for enjoyment of meals based on a variety of food groups. Both diets share a common goal—the promotion of health through nutrition—but are rooted in different contextual and ecological narratives.

This comprehensive analysis involved a detailed assessment of dietary habits among 11,488 participants from the Study on Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain (ENRICA). These individuals were studied over a mean follow-up period of 14.4 years, during which 1,157 all-cause deaths were recorded. The researchers employed rigorous methodologies, including the PHD Index to evaluate adherence levels based on the consumption of various food categories, and the MEDAS score to assess Mediterranean Diet adherence, ensuring that the results were well-grounded in scientific rigor.

The findings were compelling: higher adherence to both the PHD and the Mediterranean Diet was strongly correlated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality—22% lower for those in the highest adherence tertile of the PHD and 21% lower for the Mediterranean Diet. Even when analyzing specific dietary components, certain elements emerged as independently linked to decreased mortality risk. For instance, higher intake of fruits, dairy, unsaturated oils, nuts, and reduced consumption of sugary beverages demonstrated clear associations with improved health outcomes.

While dietary quality was at the forefront of the findings, the environmental implications of these diets were equally noteworthy. The researchers utilized the SHARP-Indicators Database to measure the environmental impact, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and land use associated with daily food intake. Both diets exhibited low environmental footprints, with PHD emissions at approximately 4.15 kg of CO₂ daily, and the Mediterranean Diet slightly higher at 4.36 kg. Moreover, land use for both diets remained strikingly similar, reinforcing the notion that health-centric dietary changes can also yield ecological benefits.

Dr. Mercedes Sotos Prieto, the lead author of the study, emphasized the dual advantage of adopting these plant-based diets, indicating that they not only promote individual health but also contribute positively to the planet’s sustainability. The results of this study are poised to guide public health policies and individual dietary choices, as the evidence firmly supports the integration of these diets into lifestyle recommendations for improved health outcomes.

As global conversations around food systems become increasingly intertwined with environmental sustainability, the findings presented at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2025 conference can serve as critical touchpoints for integrating dietary recommendations into preventive health strategies. By emphasizing the synergistic relationship between nutrition and sustainability, we can pave the way for healthier individuals and a healthier planet.

In conclusion, the implications of this research extend beyond mere dietary preferences; they encourage a re-evaluation of our relationship with food and its impact on health and the environment. As more individuals and health professionals become aware of these findings, the potential for widespread adoption of plant-based diets to combat chronic disease and promote ecological sustainability becomes not just realistic, but essential.

Subject of Research: Comparison of Planetary Health Diet and Mediterranean Diet on Mortality and Environmental Impact
Article Title: Health and Environmental Dietary Impact: Planetary Health Diet vs. Mediterranean Diet
News Publication Date: April 4, 2025
Web References: European Society of Cardiology
References: Aznar de la Riera MDC, Ortolá R, Kales SN, et al. Health and environmental dietary impact: Planetary health diet vs. Mediterranean diet. A nationwide cohort in Spain. Sci Total Environ. 2025;968:178924.
Image Credits: N/A

Keywords: Plant-Based Diets, Planetary Health Diet, Mediterranean Diet, Cardiovascular Health, Environmental Impact, Nutrition, All-Cause Mortality.

Tags: cardiovascular health and dietcomparison of PHD and Mediterranean Dietdietary impact on cardiovascular diseasedietary recommendations for preventionenvironmental footprint of dietshealthy eating for sustainabilityMediterranean Diet advantagesoptimizing diet for healthPlanetary Health Diet benefitsplant-based diets for longevityreducing all-cause mortalitysustainable eating patterns