“Our health does not begin on the plate, it begins in our soils, in our air, in our environment.”
Brice Epailly
Today, an essential question arises: is protecting our environment to preserve our health a simple ecological idea or a public health emergency?
More and more experts, such as Brice Epailly, agronomist engineer and founder of Novamazone, agree on one point: our health begins well before our plate.
It is rooted in our environment: air, soil, water… and of course, our food.
The link between environment and health: a scientific certainty
Pollution, pesticides and food: invisible impacts
Our environment directly influences our body, often invisibly.
Air pollution, pesticide residues, endocrine disruptors… These elements can:
- affect the hormonal system
- promote certain chronic diseases
- affect metabolism
The problem? These effects are hard to measure at an individual level.
Why our health begins in our environment
As discussed during the debate, everything is interconnected:
👉 Polluted soil → contaminated food
👉 Polluted air → weakened body
👉 Contaminated water → increased health risks
In short: what surrounds us ends up in our body.
The environment on our plate: myth or reality?
Processed products vs whole foods
One key point stands out clearly:
👉 processed products are the main culprits
They often contain:
- additives
- excess sugar
- salt
- processed fats
Conversely, whole foods (fruit, vegetables, roots) are naturally healthier.
The role of pesticides in our diet
Pesticides are often singled out.
However, as Brice Epailly points out:
- standards are strict (particularly in France)
- not all local products are equivalent
- some imports can be more problematic
👉 The real issue: transparency and farming practices
Agriculture and health: who is really responsible?
Producers vs consumers: a shared responsibility
This is a fundamental point:
👉 responsibility is collective
- The consumer chooses what they buy
- The producer meets demand
So:
👉 our habits directly influence the market
How supply influences food demand
But the reverse is also true:
- Advertising
- In-store placement
- Availability
All of this influences our choices without us being aware of it.
Eating local: miracle solution or marketing?
The real benefits of local food
Eating local has real benefits:
- fresher products
- less transport
- support for the local economy
- better nutritional quality
The limits of “local” depending on farming practices
But be careful:
👉 Local ≠ always healthy
A local product can be:
- chemically treated
- poorly grown
- less controlled depending on the region
👉 The key criterion remains: the quality of farming practices
Diseases linked to diet and the environment
Diabetes, hypertension, obesity: modern scourges
These three diseases dominate:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- obesity
They are strongly linked to:
- diet
- lifestyle
- the environment
Why these diseases are multifactorial
As the experts explain:
👉 It is impossible to identify a single cause
These diseases result from a mix of:
- genetics
- diet
- environment
- lifestyle habits
How to improve your health in practice, day to day
Good dietary habits to adopt
Here are some simple actions:
- reduce salt
- limit fizzy drinks
- eat more vegetables
- favour whole foods
The importance of how you cook
A point that is often forgotten:
👉 it is not only what you eat… but how
Example:
- boiled banana ✅
- fried banana ❌
Same food, different impact.
Sustainable agriculture: what concrete solutions?
Promoting local and natural produce
Some traditional crops deserve to be favoured:
- cassava
- sweet potato
- local root vegetables
They are:
- adapted to the climate
- less dependent on pesticides
- easier to digest
Planting and consuming differently
A simple but powerful solution:
👉 grow your own
Even on a small scale:
- garden
- balcony
- urban vegetable plot
Can we be healthy in a degraded environment?
The answer is clear:
👉 difficult, even impossible in the long term
As a fundamental principle puts it:
“Let food be thy medicine”
If the environment is sick…
👉 our body becomes sick too.
FAQ
1. Does the environment really influence health?
Yes, directly through air, water and food.
2. Is eating local always better?
Not always, it depends on farming practices.
3. Are pesticides dangerous?
They can be, depending on how they are used and their dosage.
4. What is the main cause of diet-related diseases?
Processed products are often the main culprits.
5. Can the risks be reduced easily?
Yes, with simple food choices and better cooking.
6. Who is responsible: consumer or producer?
Both, within an interdependent system.
Conclusion
Ultimately, one thing is certain:
👉 protecting our environment to preserve our health is not an option
It is a necessity.
Our health does not begin on our plate…
👉 It begins in our soils, our air, our environment.