October 6, 2025
From microbiome repair to soil regeneration, the latest Planetary Health Diet, presented on October 2, makes one thing clear: pulses are not just part of the solution, they are indispensable. The implications are economic and strategic, with potential policy incentives, rising demand, and a stronger link to consumer health narratives fueling a new wave of innovation.
By 2050, nearly 10 billion people will need a brand new mindset in terms of sustainable eating—and 187% more pulses. Today’s young consumers are already leading the plant-powered shift.
The future is ever more plant-forward—and pulse-powered. New data underscores the pulse potential in the spotlight of global nutrition goals at the latest annual report of the EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable, and Just Food Systems, the prestigious initiative that sets global scientific targets for food systems operating within the safe limits of Earth's critical processes. The Planetary Health Diet is its reference model: a predominantly plant-based eating pattern designed to improve human health while respecting planetary boundaries.
The 2025 report sets a reference intake of 75 g/day of pulses, or over half a kilo per week, within the Planetary Health Diet framework. Current global consumption falls far short of this level, especially in higher-income countries where daily intake averages less than 20 g. In contrast, modeling shows that if the world transitions to the recommended diet, pulse production would need to rise by nearly 187% by 2050 compared with 2020 levels.
The report also underlines the substitution effect: replacing red and processed meats with pulses and other plant proteins could avert up to 15 million deaths annually, or 27% of total global mortality. From a production standpoint, this means less resource-intensive animal meat and much more demand for pulse crops across all continents.
Beyond protein, fibre, and environmental benefits, the 2025 report makes an important addition: pulses are highlighted as contributors to gut health. Their fibre content supports the gut microbiome, helping regulate cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation. Pulses are cited as a cornerstone of diets—like the Mediterranean—whose positive health outcomes are partly explained by their impact on the gut ecosystem.
While if one scrolls through social media these days it’s hard to miss the gut health boom, the link between pulses and microbiome is rooted in well-established nutritional science, even as the general public's awareness has surged very recently. The real news maybe lies in gut health becoming a mainstream policy narrative and a sharp economic driver that could significantly influence consumer demand and product innovation over the next few years.
The EAT-Lancet report emphasizes that health authorities are moving beyond calories and nutrients to recognize the importance of food-microbiome interactions. And for the pulse industry, this framing matters. In markets where innovation drives growth, the gut health angle opens new possibilities, from fortified pulse ingredients to ready-to-eat formats designed for digestive wellness. In fact, the industry is already leveraging this science-backed consumer trend.
For policymakers, the report positions pulses as low-input crops that improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and fit seamlessly into sustainable intensification practices. Wider cultivation of pulses is highlighted as a key pathway not only to reduce emissions but also to restore biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, thanks to their role in diversified rotations.
At the trade level, the report notes that achieving recommended consumption will require both expanded production and more efficient global distribution. Regions with historically high pulse intake, such as South Asia and East Africa, are positioned as “knowledge leaders”, while higher-income regions will need to accelerate dietary shifts. For exporters, this could translate into a steady opening of new markets as governments align with these nutrition guidelines.
The overarching message of the 2025 EAT-Lancet report on food systems is straightforward: to feed nearly 10 billion people within planetary boundaries, diets must include significantly more pulses. For farmers, traders, and processors, this doesn’t sound as just validation, but more like a sharpened roadmap for long-term growth.
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this publication are those of the authors or quoted persons. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Global Pulse Confederation or its members.
