At Healthy Futures, we understand the profound relationship between what we eat, the systems that produce our food, our health, and the environment. Healthcare professionals across Australia have witnessed the transformative power of plant-based diets; their lived experiences support the growing body of research showing that plant-based diets lead to better health outcomes, including reduced risk of noncommunicable disease(1). Concurrently, plant-based diets contribute significantly to better environmental outcomes. According to The Lancet report, adopting plant-based diets globally could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and prevent biodiversity loss while conserving water and land resources(2). This interconnectedness between diet, health, and sustainability is at the heart of our mission, and it's why we've proudly signed the Plant-Based Treaty.
The Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets
A Stanford Medicine-led trial of 22 pairs of identical twins found that a healthy plant-based diet improves cardiovascular health in as little as eight weeks, with participants showing significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels, insulin, and body weight compared to those on a healthy omnivorous diet(3). This study underscores the profound impact of a plant-based diet on heart health by controlling for genetic and lifestyle factors. Similarly, the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study indicates that plant-based dietary patterns are linked to a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes, a condition affecting nearly 1.2 million Australians(4).
Specific Nutritional Benefits of a Plant-based Diet:
- Higher Fibre Intake: Plant-based diets are rich in fibre, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Vitamins C and E: These vitamins are abundant in plant-based diets and are known for their antioxidant properties, which protect cells from damage, enhance immune function, and improve skin health.
- Potassium: Essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, potassium is found in high quantities in fruits and vegetables, staples of a plant-based diet.
- Magnesium: This mineral supports muscle and nerve function, regulates blood pressure, and contributes to bone health. Plant-based diets often include nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, which are rich sources of magnesium.
- Antioxidants: Plant-based diets are high in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation, protect against chronic diseases, and promote overall health.
Additionally, plant-based diets reduce the need for antibiotics in farming, lowering the risk of antimicrobial-resistant infections. With three out of four new and emerging infections with pandemic potential originating from animals, the next pandemic is predicted to arise from industrialised animal farming, such as a bird flu(5).
These findings collectively illustrate that embracing a plant-based diet is a powerful strategy for preventing chronic diseases and promoting a longer, healthier life for Australians.
Environmental Sustainability Through Diet
Animal agribusiness poses a severe threat to human life and biodiversity, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and diet-related diseases. It is a major driver of climate change, deforestation, species extinction, water depletion, soil degradation, and ocean dead zones. Addressing fossil fuels alone is not enough; action on food systems is also crucial. The three main greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—are at record levels, with animal agriculture being a significant contributor, especially for methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
Animal agriculture is also linked to Indigenous land theft in the Amazon and disproportionately exposes marginalised communities to toxic waste from factory farms and slaughterhouses. The IPCC's sixth assessment warns that cutting methane emissions is essential to prevent temperature rises of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which could trigger irreversible planetary tipping points(6,7).
Adopting plant-based diets can significantly reduce our ecological footprint. These diets require fewer resources, produce fewer greenhouse gases, and help preserve biodiversity. According to an Oxford University study, a global shift towards plant-based diets could reduce food-related emissions by up to 70%(8). This shift is essential for mitigating climate change and protecting our planet for future generations. By making more sustainable food choices, we can contribute to a healthier environment and ensure a sustainable future.
Food Systems and Their Impact on Health
Our current food systems, heavily reliant on animal agribusiness, significantly impact both health and the environment. These systems contribute to high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Health inequities due to poor diet and nutrient intake can emerge as early as 2 years of age and are difficult to address once established. The first 2,000 days of a child's life are crucial for tackling these disparities(9). A robust and equitable food system is essential for promoting healthy eating and ensuring children receive adequate nutrition for optimal growth.
Approaching healthier eating alongside food systems as action areas allows for a long-term, systemic perspective on improving diets, which also benefits food security. This integrated approach is vital for addressing diet-related health disparities and fostering a sustainable future.
The Plant-Based Treaty: A Global Call to Action
The Plant-Based Treaty is a global initiative aimed at addressing the climate and ecological crises through the promotion of plant-based diets and sustainable food systems. It calls for a shift away from animal agriculture toward plant-based food production, which is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving biodiversity. By signing the treaty, organisations and individuals commit to supporting policies and practices that promote plant-based diets and sustainable food systems.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Healthy Futures has proudly signed the Plant-Based Treaty because we believe in the power of food to transform health and protect the environment. We invite you to join us in this movement. By adopting a plant-based diet, supporting local food systems, and advocating for sustainable food policies, you can make a significant impact on your health and the health of our planet.
Take Action Today
Learn more about the Plant-Based Treaty and add your voice to this critical cause. Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Sources:
1. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. WHO. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/fruit-vegetables-ncds
2. Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., Springmann, M., Lang, T., Vermeulen, S., ... & Murray, C. J. L. (2019). Food in the Anthropocene: The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Lancet, 393(10170), 447-492. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4
3. Landry MJ, Ward CP, Cunanan KM, et al. Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(11):e2344457. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44457
4. Goode, J. P., Smith, K. J., Breslin, M., Kilpatrick, M., Dwyer, T., Venn, A. J., & Magnussen, C. G. (2023). A Healthful Plant-Based Eating Pattern Is Longitudinally Associated with Higher Insulin Sensitivity in Australian Adults. The Journal of nutrition, 153(5), 1544–1554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.03.017
5. Royal College of Pathologists. (2024). Plant-based diets: An underutilised way to tackle our health and climate crises. Retrieved August 8 2024, from https://www.rcpath.org/resource-report/plant-based-diets-an-underutilised-way-to-tackle-our-health-and-climate-crises.html
6. Harvey, F. (2021, August 6). Reduce methane or face climate catastrophe, scientists warn. The Guardian. Retrieved August 6 2024, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/reduce-methane-or-face-climate-catastrophe-scientists-warn
7. Stockholm Resilience Centre. (n.d.). The nine planetary boundaries. Retrieved August 6 2024, from https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries/the-nine-planetary-boundaries.html
8. Clark, M. A., Domingo, N. G. G., Colgan, K., Thakrar, S. K., Tilman, D., Lynch, J., Azevedo, I. L., & Hill, J. D. (2020). Global food system emissions could preclude achieving the 1.5° and 2°C climate change targets. Science, 370(6517), 705-708. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aba7357
9. Friel, S., Hattersley, L., Ford, L., & O’Rourke, K. (2015). Addressing inequities in healthy eating. Health Promotion International, 30(suppl 2), ii77–ii88. Available from https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Health-Equity_SummaryReport_HealthyEating.pdf