Sustainable eating practices have numerous health benefits. Studies have shown that consuming a plant-based diet, such as whole food, semi-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian, is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Aside from plant-based meals, organic food also has positive health effects on humans. Contrary to conventional food, organic food produced by organic farming methods is free of synthetic chemicals, including artificial pesticides and fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and antibiotics, which helps reduce our exposure to chemical residues in food products and associated health risks.
Additionally, sustainable eating habits such as reducing the reliance on plastic packaging and using reusable containers for takeaways can promote food hygiene and safety. Bisphenol A (BPA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and phthalates are widely used in plastic commodities, namely plastic bottles and food wrap, in our everyday lives. Those substances are not only toxic but also main sources of food contamination, posing long-term health risks to humans. Thus, minimizing the generation of plastic waste by adopting sustainable eating habits can reduce food exposure to toxins and contaminants, leading to better health outcomes.
References:
Satija A, Bhupathiraju SN, Rimm EB, et al. Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women: Results from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. Moore SC, ed. PLOS Medicine. 2016;13(6):e1002039. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002039
Mie A, Andersen HR, Gunnarsson S, et al. Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review. Environmental Health. 2017;16(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4
Martin D. S. 5 toxics that are everywhere: Protect yourself – CNN.com. www.cnn.com. Published May 31, 2010. Accessed November 9, 2023. https://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/31/chemical.dangers/index.html
Angela Yu-Chen Lin, Susana Tzy-Ying Huang, Wahlqvist ML. Waste Management to Improve Food Safety and Security for Health Advancement. PubMed. 2009;18(4):538-545.