Adopting universal, sustainable diet could cut down cultivated area, water used in irrigation: Study

NEW DELHI: Globally adopting the ‘EAT-Lancet’ diet — devised as a reference to promote equity and sustainability in health and food production — could cut down cultivated area by up to 40 per cent and almost 80 per cent of water consumed for irrigation, with a 4.5 per cent increase in food costs, a study has found.

In January, 2019, scientists forming the ‘EAT-Lancet Commission’ described a largely plant-based diet — a “universal, healthy reference” based on scientific evidence — to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The diet consists of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes, low to moderate amounts of seafood and poultry, with little red and processed meat, added sugar, refined grains, and starchy vegetables.

Source: PTI News

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