Introduction

A groundbreaking study presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Preventive Cardiology 2025 has unveiled that both the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) and the Mediterranean Diet are not only instrumental in enhancing longevity but also play a significant role in promoting environmental sustainability.

The Importance of Dietary Habits

As cardiovascular diseases continue to be a leading cause of premature death, the importance of dietary habits cannot be overstated. Research suggests that by optimizing our diets, we could potentially prevent as many as one in five premature deaths across Europe. Enter the PHD, launched in 2019, which seeks to improve global dietary quality while maintaining sustainable food production methods. Leading this conversation, Dr. Mercedes Sotos Prieto from the Autonomous University of Madrid emphasizes the urgent need to analyze the PHD's effectiveness relative to the Mediterranean Diet, a time-tested nutritional model celebrated for its health benefits in Mediterranean countries.

Dietary Frameworks

The PHD's framework proposes a daily energy intake of about 2,500 kcal, advocating for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats, while encouraging moderation in dairy, poultry, and fish consumption. In stark contrast, the Mediterranean Diet highlights the consumption of fresh, seasonal produce, whole grains, legumes, and ample olive oil, while favoring white meat over red and processed meats, and suggesting moderate intake of dairy, fish, and eggs.

Study Design and Methodology

This transformative analysis drew upon data from 11,488 participants in the Study on Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain (ENRICA), tracking individuals from 2008 to 2010. The researchers evaluated dietary habits through the PHD Index—which measured adherence to nutritional recommendations across 15 food categories—and assessed Mediterranean Diet adherence using a comprehensive 14-item MEDAS score.

Environmental Impact Assessment

A pivotal aspect of the study involved examining the environmental impacts, utilizing the SHARP-Indicators Database to analyze greenhouse gas emissions and land use. The mortality data was sourced from the National Death Index of Spain, accounting for potential confounding factors to effectively unveil the relationship between diet adherence and mortality rates.

Results

Participants had an average age of 47.5 years, with women making up 52.5% of the group. Over a mean follow-up period of 14.4 years, 1,157 deaths were recorded. Astoundingly, the results revealed that those who adhered closely to either the PHD or the Mediterranean Diet faced significantly reduced mortality risks—22% for high adherence to the PHD and 21% for the Mediterranean Diet.

Key Dietary Components

Key components from both diets, including the consumption of fruits, dairy, and healthy oils from the PHD, along with nuts and limited sugary products from the Mediterranean Diet, were found to be independently associated with lower mortality rates.

Ecological Findings

From an ecological standpoint, both diets were shown to have low carbon footprints. The PHD was linked to an average of 4.15 kg of daily CO2 emissions and required 5.54 m² of land for food, while the Mediterranean Diet produced slightly higher emissions at 4.36 kg and required 5.43 m² of land. It is important to note that dairy and meat products were significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

Dr. Sotos Prieto concluded that increased adherence to either dietary model is beneficial, highlighting a clear connection between healthier eating patterns, lower all-cause mortality, and remarkable environmental advantages. The findings reinforce the need for more individuals to adopt these plant-based diets not only for their health but for the planet's sustainability. With such evidence in hand, the question remains: Are you ready to transform your diet and your life?