Following the Mediterranean diet is linked to lasting healthy eating and lower environmental impact in well-educated people

Individuals with high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet had lower carbon and water footprints.

• All sub-scales of the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviours Scale were higher in individuals adhering to the Mediterranean Diet compared to those who did not.
• A 1-point increase in the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale score was linked to a 0.15 CO2 eq/kg decrease in the carbon footprint of food.
• A 1-point increase in the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale score was associated with a 0.001 m3/year decrease in the water footprint of food.
• Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet may indicate more sustainable nutrition behaviors.

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