Study says EAT–Lancet diet may protect kidney health; know what it includes
According to experts, other eating patterns such as the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet have been associated with better kidney health. However, the EAT-Lancet approach stands out for the strict limits on fats and sugar.
New Delhi: Eating more plant-based foods and cutting back on added sugars and fats could lower the risk of chronic kidney disease, according to a major long-term study that tracked nearly 180,000 adults in the UK. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, analysed data from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest health databases. Participants, aged 40 to 69, reported their eating habits and were followed for around 12 years.
During that time, just under 5,000 people developed chronic kidney disease, a condition that affects roughly one in 10 adults worldwide and is expected to become one of the leading causes of death in the coming decades.
Researchers found that people who closely followed the EAT–Lancet "planetary health” diet were less likely to develop kidney disease. The diet, designed to balance human health with environmental sustainability, encourages eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while keeping red meat, sugary foods, and unhealthy fats to a minimum.
Dr Xianhui Qin, one of the study’s authors, said the link between the diet and lower kidney disease risk was particularly strong in people with certain genetic profiles and those living in areas with limited green space. "Greater adherence to the planetary health diet was associated with a reduced risk of chronic kidney disease,” the researchers noted.
According to experts, other eating patterns such as the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet have been associated with better kidney health. However, the EAT-Lancet approach stands out for the strict limits on fats and sugar. Scientists believe that it could be game-changing in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, the two factors that can damage kidneys over time.
The study also noted that diets rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables are linked to better kidney outcomes, while eating processed and red meat is associated with a higher risk. Experts warn that the study does not directly associate this diet with kidney disease, but it adds to growing evidence that chronic kidney disease does have a diet link. Therefore, with rising global incidence, one must make dietary changes for long-term benefits.