Doctors say “Go vegan” for the largest patient of all, planet earth!  According to a recent study published in a British medical journal, following a vegan diet has less of an environmental impact than one that includes meat, dairy, and eggs. And, the difference is substantial.

The new study assessed six categories of environmental impact, including land use, water depletion, climate change, air pollution, marine water eutrophication leading to dead zones, and pollution of freshwater rivers and lakes. Nearly all of the categories were affected by up to 84% less by a plant-based diet when compared to one that included animal products.

What’s more, the new research concluded that a vegan diet produces a 42% percent lower burden on the environment than the Mediterranean diet. The less animal products consumed the better, for both your health and the environment.