A Thai Path to Longevity: The Planetary Health Diet and a Sustainable Future
A growing global conversation on the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) could reshape what we eat for longer, healthier lives and a healthier planet. Developed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, the PHD emphasizes more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and plant-based proteins while reducing meat and dairy. Originating from the 2019 report Food in the Anthropocene, the plan resonates with Thailand’s rising interest in sustainable, health-focused living.
Historically, the Mediterranean diet has stood as a benchmark for well-being. Now, the PHD is gaining momentum for its potential to cut dietary-related emissions and prevent millions of deaths. Research from Harvard Chan School indicates the diet is linked to about a 30% lower risk of premature death among those who follow it, based on a long-term study of more than 200,000 participants who began without chronic disease and were followed for 34 years. The findings show lower mortality from major illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, underscoring both health and environmental benefits.