Study Finds Mediterranean Diet Enhances Metabolic Health and Reduces Environmental Impact

In a recent study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, researchers investigated the environmental impact of a Mediterranean diet with reduced energy intake over one year in participants with metabolic syndrome.

Climate change harms public health by causing higher temperatures, changed rainfall patterns, more droughts, stronger heat waves, and spreading diseases like dengue and malaria. It also affects farming and animals, making less and lower-quality food.

With the world population growing to almost 10 billion by 2050, we'll need more food, which will make the environmental effects of food systems worse. These systems create lots of greenhouse gases, pollution, use too much water, and harm wildlife.

Sustainable diets, as defined by the United Nation, are key to fixing these problems by promoting healthy eating while also protecting the environment. Research shows that diets with fewer animal products and more plants are better for health and the planet. However, specific dietary interventions that can effectively reduce environmental impacts need to be explored.

The study used data from the PREDIMED-Plus trial, which lasted for eight years and involved 6,874 people aged 55 to 75 (for men) and 60 to 75 (for women). All participants had metabolic syndrome but no history of heart disease. They were randomly divided into two groups: one received a Mediterranean diet with reduced calories, exercise guidance, and behavioral therapy, while the other got advice on the Mediterranean diet without a focus on weight loss. The researchers measured their diet using a detailed food questionnaire.

The study found that the intervention group, which followed the Mediterranean diet, had bigger decreases in environmental impact compared to the control group. They ate fewer calories and stuck better to the diet. Meat had the biggest impact on the environment for both groups, while fish and seafood caused more greenhouse gas emissions for the intervention group.

The study showed that following a Mediterranean diet with reduced calories for a year can help the environment by reducing acidification, eutrophication, and land use as well as enhance metabolic health.

Overall, the study highlights how Mediterranean diet plans could be good for both human health and the environment.

Reference: Effect of a nutritional intervention based on an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet on environmental impact. Álvarez-Álvarez, L., Rubín-García, M., Vitelli-Storelli, F., García, S., Bouzas, C. Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172610, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724027566