A new study has found that vegetarian diets may be better for the planet than the diets of people who eat meat. The study, published in the journal Nature, compared the diets of people in the UK who ate either a vegetarian or a “Mediterranean” diet – one that includes fish, meat, and dairy – and found that the latter had a higher carbon footprint.
The study’s authors say that the benefits of a vegetarian diet are “negligible” compared to the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, which they say is the diet that people are actually likely to adopt. They say that the Mediterranean diet is not only more sustainable, but also healthier.
The study found that the carbon footprint of a vegetarian diet was 9% lower than the carbon footprint of a Mediterranean diet. However, the study’s authors say that the difference is “not statistically significant.”
The study also found that the health benefits of a vegetarian diet are “negligible.” The authors say that the Mediterranean diet is a “healthier and more sustainable” diet than a vegetarian diet.
The study’s authors say that the Mediterranean diet is the diet that people are actually likely to adopt. They say that the Mediterranean diet is not only more sustainable, but also healthier.
As the world becomes more health conscious, people are increasingly turning to vegetarianism in an effort to improve their personal health and the health of the planet. However, new research suggests that the Mediterranean diet—which includes moderate amounts of meat and fish—may actually be more sustainable in the long run.
The study, conducted by the University of Oxford, looked at the diets of over 16,000 people in 38 countries and found that vegetarian diets require more land and water than diets that include meat and fish. The researchers found that, on average, a vegetarian diet requires 2,500 liters of water per day, while a Mediterranean diet requires just 2,100 liters.
In terms of land use, the study found that a vegetarian diet requires 18% more land than a meat-based diet. This is because of the crops that need to be grown to feed a vegetarian, as well as the livestock that is required to produce a meat-based diet.
The study’s lead author, Marco Springmann, said that the findings challenge the common belief that vegetarianism is the most sustainable diet. “Our findings show that avoiding meat and fish is not necessarily the best option for either individual or planetary health,” Springmann said.
So, what is the best diet for the planet? The study’s authors say that it is the Mediterranean diet—a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish, and moderate in meat and dairy. This diet has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The Mediterranean diet is not only better for the planet, but it is also more likely to be adopted by people who are not vegetarian. The study’s authors say that the Mediterranean diet is more palatable to omnivores and, as such, is more likely to be adopted on a global scale.
If we are to truly make a difference in the health of the planet, it is important that we focus on diets that are both sustainable and achievable. The Mediterranean diet is one such diet. It is a diet that can be enjoyed by both vegetarians and omnivores alike, and it is a diet that is good for both the planet and our health.
