“Study Shows Small Dietary Changes Can Reduce Carbon Footprint by 25%, Increase Life Expectancy”
A recent study conducted by McGill University and published in Nature Food has revealed that making small dietary changes can have a significant impact on both the environment and human health. The Canadian research, done in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, found that partially replacing animal protein-based foods with plant-based options can lead to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions and an increase in life expectancy.
By analyzing dietary records from a national nutrition survey, researchers discovered that replacing red and processed meat or dairy products with plant-based protein options such as nuts, seeds, legumes, tofu, and fortified soy drinks can have a positive effect on health and climate outcomes. Red and processed meats, as well as dairy products, are major contributors to diet-related greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
Lead author of the study, Olivia Auclair, stated, “Co-benefits for human and planetary health do not necessarily require radical changes in diets, but can be achieved with simple partial replacements of red meat and dairy products with plant-based options.” The study estimates that by replacing half of the red and processed meat in a person’s diet with plant-based proteins, they could live almost nine months longer on average due to reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Interestingly, the study also found that males stand to benefit more from these dietary changes, with a doubling of the increase in life expectancy compared to females. However, replacing dairy products with plant-based options may lead to a small increase in calcium insufficiency.
Senior author Sergio Burgos hopes that these findings will help consumers make healthier and more sustainable food choices, as well as inform future food policies in Canada. As more individuals seek to adopt sustainable and health-conscious diets, this study provides valuable insights for making informed decisions that benefit personal well-being and the planet.