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Alignment of Healthy Dietary Patterns and Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Review
Miriam E Nelson1,2, Michael W Hamm3, Frank B Hu4
1Sustainability Institute, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; miriam.nelson@unh.edu.
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
|February 1, 2017
Summary
Adopting plant-based diets rich in vegetables and whole grains, while reducing red meat intake, promotes better health and environmental sustainability. This updated review confirms that sustainable eating patterns benefit both people and the planet.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing global food security concerns necessitate understanding sustainable diets and population health.
- Previous research, including the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee systematic review, has explored dietary patterns and environmental impact.
- An updated systematic review was conducted to extend and validate prior findings on diet, health, and sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and update evidence on population-level dietary patterns concerning food sustainability, nutritional needs, and health outcomes.
- To compare findings with the 2015 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee systematic review.
- To identify dietary patterns associated with both improved health and reduced environmental impact.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of population-level dietary patterns and food sustainability.
- Inclusion of 23 studies (15 from the original review + 8 new studies).
- Comparative analysis of methodologies including modeling, life cycle assessment, and land use analysis.
Main Results:
- Consistent evidence shows diets higher in plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds) and lower in animal-based foods (especially red meat) are healthier.
- Lower total energy intake in dietary patterns is linked to better health and reduced environmental impact.
- The identified healthier, sustainable dietary pattern contrasts with current average US consumption.
Conclusions:
- Updated systematic review confirms and strengthens previous findings that sustainable dietary patterns promote better health and have a lower environmental impact.
- Adherence to well-characterized diets like vegetarian, Mediterranean, and DASH diets aligns with sustainable eating principles.
- Sustainable dietary patterns offer a viable strategy for enhancing population health and supporting environmental food security for future generations.
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