Could what’s on your plate protect your kidneys? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects around 10% of adults worldwide and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040.
A recent study in CMAJ explored how following the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet could reduce CKD risk. This diet emphasizes plant-based foods, limits red meat, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, and is designed to be both healthy and environmentally sustainable.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 180,000 UK Biobank participants over 12 years. People who closely followed the EAT-Lancet diet had a modest but consistent lower risk of developing CKD—up to a 9% reduction depending on the scoring method. Other healthy diets, like DASH, Mediterranean, and plant-based patterns, showed similar benefits.
Interestingly, the study found that the diet’s impact is influenced by genetics and the environment. People with the rs2010352 GG genetic variant saw stronger kidney protection, and those living with less access to green spaces benefited more from dietary adherence. Metabolic and proteomic signatures—specific patterns of metabolites and proteins influenced by the diet—partly explained the reduced CKD risk, mediating up to 27% of the effect.
The research highlights that the EAT-Lancet diet may offer a practical, population-level approach to reducing CKD risk, especially when combined with personalized nutrition strategies that account for genetics, environment, and molecular responses.
While the study relied on 24-hour food recalls and a mostly White UK population, its findings suggest that choosing a plant-forward, minimally processed diet can be a powerful step in protecting kidney health—and potentially improving overall longevity.
In short: eat more plants, fewer processed foods, and prioritize whole, sustainable choices—and your kidneys will thank you.
REFERENCE: Yang, S., Huang, Y., Ye, Z., et al. (2026). The EAT–Lancet planetary health diet and risk of incident chronic kidney disease. CMAJ. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.250457. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/198/3/E73
Following EAT-Lancet Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: Study
