Do low-carbon-emission diets lead to higher nutritional quality and positive health outcomes? A systematic review of the literature

64% of dietary links indicate that reduced greenhouse gas emissions from diets may be associated with worse health indicators.

• Sixteen studies were identified, covering 100 dietary patterns linked to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The results showed significant variability in how dietary changes affected health outcomes.
• Diets low in animal products often had reduced saturated fat and salt, but were also high in sugar and low in essential micronutrients.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from diets may not necessarily lead to improvements in nutritional quality.
• Recommendations for lowering greenhouse gas emissions should consider the impacts on sugar consumption and micronutrient intake.

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