A predominantly plant-based diet can apparently also relieve the strain on the kidneys. This is suggested by a long-term study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. In particular, people who followed the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet (Planetary Health Diet, PHD) had a lower risk of chronic kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease: widespread, often unnoticed
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually develops slowly and has few symptoms for a long time. This makes it all the more important to take known risk factors – including diet – into account at an early stage.
Large study over twelve years
The study evaluated data from 179,508 adults aged 40 to 69 from the UK Biobank. The participants provided information about their eating habits. Over a period of an average of twelve years, 4,819 people (2.7 percent) developed chronic kidney disease.
The result: A greater orientation towards the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with a lower risk of CKD. Study author Dr. Xianhui Qin writes in a statement for the publication: “Higher adherence to the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health diet was significantly associated with a lower risk of first-onset chronic kidney disease.”
Was ist die EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet?
The PHD is a predominantly plant-based diet that is intended to take both health and the environment into account. The basis is a daily energy requirement of around 2,400 kilocalories.
The focus is on:
- Whole grain products (largest share of daily energy)
- vegetables and fruits
- legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- vegetable oils in moderate amounts
Animal foods are not excluded, but clearly limited:
- small amounts of milk or dairy products
- little fish, poultry and eggs
- Red meat only very sparingly
In addition, the PHD recommends significantly limiting added sugar and fats and choosing predominantly unprocessed or only minimally processed foods.
Why this diet could help the kidneys
The team of authors emphasizes that many diets have common characteristics: lots of vegetables, fruits and nuts and little red meat. These ingredients have previously been linked to a lower risk of kidney disease. A special feature of PHD, however, is the targeted limitation of sugar and fat. According to the group of authors, this can influence inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that can also put a strain on the kidneys.
Nutrition as an opportunity for prevention
The results highlight the potential of a plant-based, balanced diet as an approach to preventing chronic kidney disease. The EAT-Lancet diet offers a clear, everyday orientation framework.
Quelle: DOI 10.1503/cmaj.250457, EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet: DOIÂ 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01201-2
