Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern traditionally followed by countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, southern Italy, and Spain. It emphasizes a high intake of plant-based foods, healthy fats, and moderate consumption of animal products, contributing to its recognition as one of the healthiest dietary patterns globally.

What are the Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet comes with many health benefits, including protection against cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and cognitive deficits.

A Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Memory

The Effect of Diet on Mental Health

The MIND Diet Explained: Foods That Fight Cognitive Decline

Dietary Fiber: Health Benefits, Food Sources, and Daily Needs

Pecans and Health: Evidence from Clinical Studies

Do Superfoods Really Exist?

The Effects of a Plant-Based Diet on Gut Health

What are the Health Benefits of Nuts?

The Principles of the Blue Zone Diet

Is Olive Oil Good for You? Evidence-Based Health Effects Explained

The Healthy Eating Index: How Well Does Your Diet Score?

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Mediterranean Diet

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Latest Mediterranean Diet News and Research

Scientists finally define what it means to be flexitarian

Researchers conducted a systematic review to develop a clear, evidence-based definition of the “flexitarian” diet, identifying it as consuming animal products at least once a month but less than once a week. Analysis of 42 countries’ dietary guidelines revealed that while “flexitarian” is not officially recognized, many nations implicitly support plant-forward eating by recommending reduced red meat consumption.

31 Jul 2025

Several healthy eating patterns may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes across diverse ethnic groups

A large new meta-analysis of more than 800,000 participants to be presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15-19 September) shows that high adherence to three well-established healthy eating patterns is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of one's ethnicity.

30 Jul 2025

A 15-year study reveals which diets best protect your brain and heart in later life

Older adults who consistently followed healthy dietary patterns, especially AHEI, MIND, and AMED, accumulated chronic diseases more slowly over 15 years. Diets high in pro-inflammatory foods were linked to a faster buildup of multimorbidity, particularly in cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric conditions.

29 Jul 2025

Study shows the importance of diet in influencing multimorbidity in aging populations

A healthy diet can slow down the accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults, while inflammatory diets accelerate it.

28 Jul 2025

Fad diets and supplements fuel new wave of hidden skin problems, study finds

A new review explains how fad diets and unregulated supplements promoted online can cause serious skin, hair, and nail problems, often before other symptoms appear. Clinicians are urged to recognize these risks and address health misinformation in the digital age.

22 Jul 2025

Boosting gut-friendly foods may slow biological aging, large US study finds

Higher scores on a dietary index linked to gut microbiota health are associated with slower biological aging in US adults, according to a large cross-sectional NHANES study. The findings suggest that improving diet quality for gut microbial diversity may help reduce age-related disease risk.

20 Jul 2025

How does olive oil affect gut health?

Could olive oil’s hidden compounds be the key to a healthier gut? New research uncovers how olive-derived bioactives transform our microbiome and may unlock future therapies for digestive and metabolic health.

9 Jul 2025

Eating habits directly influence vaginal microbiome, research finds

A cross-sectional study of young Italian women found that higher intake of animal protein and alcohol is associated with vaginal microbiota dysbiosis, while linolenic acid (a plant-based omega-3) and dietary fiber support beneficial Lactobacillus communities.

7 Jul 2025

Mediterranean diet wins on weight but misses on memory in diverse aging population

A 14-month randomized trial in older African American adults with obesity found that adopting a Mediterranean diet, with or without calorie-restricted weight loss, significantly improved diet quality and reduced body weight and visceral fat. However, no cognitive benefits were observed compared to usual diet.

2 Jul 2025

Oleic acid from olive oil reduces infection-related bone loss with age

A mouse study shows that dietary oleic acid, a key Mediterranean diet component, protects against age-related bone and microbiome damage triggered by periodontal infection. In contrast, a Western-style palmitic acid diet worsens bone loss and destabilizes the gut microbiome.

30 Jun 2025

Vegan diet lowers dietary acid load and promotes weight loss

Compared with a Mediterranean diet, dietary acid load decreased significantly on a low-fat vegan diet and was associated with weight loss, according to a randomized cross-over trial conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

27 Jun 2025

Poor diet quality weakens resilience and mental health in food insecure populations

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5% of American households experienced food insecurity at some time during 2023. That means 18 million families didn't have enough to meet their needs and often didn't know where the next meal would come from.

26 Jun 2025

Omega-3 fatty acids linked to increased inflammation markers

Omega-3 fatty acids, popularly believed to reduce inflammation in the body, appear to increase certain inflammatory markers, researchers have found.

25 Jun 2025

Mediterranean diet boosts sperm health while ultra-processed foods lower fertility, study finds

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to improved sperm parameters in men, while high intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with poorer semen quality. These associations are strongest in men with normal FSH levels, suggesting dietary patterns may influence male fertility.

23 Jun 2025

Can a Japanese diet help with depression? Large study says yes

A large cross-sectional study of 12,499 Japanese workers found that higher adherence to traditional or modified Japanese diets was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that culturally rooted dietary patterns may support mental well-being, especially among educated adults.

18 Jun 2025