PlanetDiet

CVD is the leading global cause of death, projected to rise to over 22.2 million by 2030. Diet plays a major role in CVD prevention: red and processed meat intake is linked to higher CVD and diabetes risk, while plant-based diets lower risk and mortality.

Beyond health, dietary choices also affect the environment, as animal based agriculture drives greenhouse gas emissions, habitat loss, and nitrogen pollution. This highlights the importance of the diet–environment–disease trilogy for a sustainable future.

The EAT-Lancet Commission has proposed the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) to align food systems with both human health and environmental sustainability. The PHD emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, while limiting red/processed meat, added sugar, and refined grains.

However, responses to diet vary individually, and the molecular mechanisms linking sustainable diets to cardiometabolic health remain unclear. Multi-omics approaches can deepen understanding of how diet shapes metabolic pathways and protein function and may help distinguish dietary responders from non-responders.

A major challenge is the lack of reliable, objective biomarkers to measure adherence to plant-based sustainable diets, since traditional tools are prone to error. Nutritional multi-omics holds promise for identifying biomarkers that capture dietary exposure and health effects, paving the way for precision nutrition in CVD prevention.

This is a 6-month randomized controlled parallel intervention trial with 180 adults (45–70 years) at cardiovascular risk. Participants are randomized into three groups: (1) the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), (2) an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet, or (3) a habitual healthy diet (control).

Eligible participants will attend an information session and screening, followed by a baseline assessment, and further visits at 1 month, 3 months , and 6 months. Visit includes clinical, anthropometric, and dietary assessments, as well as biological sample collection. Two additional group visits will be held to strengthen motivation and adherence.

Participants will receive individualised counselling, food boxes with targeted items, and practical cooking guidance to support compliance with the assigned dietary pattern.