Europe PMC · 2026
The best fertility diet may simply be a healthy diet.
Dahdouh EM.
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Europe PMC · 2026
Healthy Diet for Healthy Minds: Insights from Recent Epidemiological Studies.
Pothuraju S, Narayanan S, Chen SJ, Hussain A, Al-Salmay Y, Eng M, Vanatta JM, Bonnes SLR, Park S, Jones CM.
Purpose of review Age-related cognitive decline is a major public health challenge and has a significant impact on a country's economy and economic growth. Evidence suggests dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND), Alternative Health Eating Index (AHEI) and plant-based diets are associated with reduced cognitive decline and improved brain health. The main objective of this review is to summarize recent data and provide a literature-based evaluation of the effects of popular dietary patterns associated with cognitive health. Recent findings An in-depth evaluation of the current literature suggests that adherence to healthy dietary patterns-including the MeDi, DASH, MIND, AHEI, and plant-based diets-can play an important role in preserving cognitive function and delaying cognitive aging. However, gaps remain in understanding the effects of long-term dietary adherence, specific food constituents, culturally diverse dietary practices, and the underlying molecular and neurophysiological mechanisms. These factors warrant further investigation to identify causal relationships between dietary patterns and beneficial effects on cognitive health. Literature-based evaluation offers a strong correlation between diet, nutrition, and age-related cognitive health. Despite these observations, studies affirm that new research incorporating well-powered longitudinal studies and culturally adaptable interventions are equally necessary. Furthermore, public health officials and global health entities should implement evidence-based and well-researched nutritional policies that are aimed at preserving cognitive health.
Europe PMC · 2026
Support and Call for the Healthy Diet Basket Version 2.0.
Dean E, Xu J, Jones AY, Vongsirinavarat M, Lomi C, Kumar P, Ngeh E, Storz MA.
To survive, some populations depend on "animal-sourced foods" and "oils and fats," yet humans thrive on low-fat, whole-food, vegan nutrition-that is, they are healthier, more disease resistant, and have longer life and health spans. Vegan nutrition is little reflected in national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), which are increasingly informed by politico-corporate interests, and variable interests of national food guide advisors. A composite of FBDGs informs the 6 food groups of the United Nations/Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization-endorsed Healthy Diet Basket (HDB). The HDB is used as a healthy diet standard and food security index and reported to be a valid global standard consistent with all aspects of a healthy diet and pillars of sustainability and low environmental impact. Yet, when compared with whole-food vegan nutrition, these claims are unsupported. Thus, the HDB version 2.0 warrants being aligned only with science with elimination of 2 of its 6 food groups-namely, "animal-sourced foods" and "oils and fats"-and shoring up the other 4 groups-namely, starchy foods; vegetables; fruits; and legumes, nuts and seeds. This commentary serves as an urgent call to action by unbiased, global food policymakers, nutrition science communities, and health professionals to translate only evidence-based research when constructing unbiased FBDGs.
Europe PMC · 2026
The Effect of E-Healthy Diet Literacy on Sustainable Nutrition Behaviors in Pregnant Women.
Demir Ş, Erkal Aksoy Y.
Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between e-healthy diet literacy and sustainable nutrition behaviors in pregnant women. Design This study was a descriptive correlational study. Setting Data were collected via self-report using a Personal Information Form, the e-Healthy Diet Literacy Questionnaire (e-HDLQ) and the Sustainable Nutrition Behavior Scale (SNBS). Participants The study population consisted of all pregnant women living in Konya/Türkiye, and the sample included 290 pregnant women over the age of 18 who voluntarily agreed to participate and were able to read and understand Turkish, the language of the questionnaire. Results The total e-HDLQ score of the participants was 29.37±6.91 (min=13, max=46), and the total SNBS score was 109.18±17.07 (min=37, max=145). Weak but statistically significant associations were observed between the total e-HDLQ score and the SNBS sub-dimensions of food preference (r=0.119) and food purchase (r=0.117) (p Conclusions he study shows that pregnant women's e-healthy diet literacy is weakly but significantly associated with various aspects of sustainable nutrition behaviors.
Europe PMC · 2026
Time Preferences, Risk Preferences and Choices of Healthy Diet: Evidence From Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia.
Mezgebo T, Gebreegziabher Z, Kahsay HB, Meressa AM, Gebremariam LW, Govigli VM, Setti M.
Diet-related morbidity and mortality now exceed those associated with hunger worldwide. Although risk and time preferences are correlated with dietary behavior, evidence from the Global South remains limited. In particular, the role of human-capital risk-distinct from health risk-in shaping dietary choices has not been systematically examined. This study addresses this gap using incentivized lab-in-the-field experiments and 2024 survey data from Mekelle city, northern Ethiopia. A control-function approach accounts for potential health-status endogeneity, Oster's coefficient stability test assesses sensitivity to unobserved heterogeneity, and double Lasso tests the exclusion of insignificant variables while controlling for structural errors. Results show that impatience, impulsivity, and risk aversion are generally negatively associated with demand for healthy dietary components, although associations vary by outcome. Risk-averse subjects report stronger healthy-eating intentions but exhibit comparatively lower observed investment in healthy foods, consistent with concerns about human-capital risk.
Europe PMC · 2026
The Association Between Adherence to the Dutch Healthy Diet Index and Glaucoma Prevalence-The Maastricht Study.
Yu Y, Berendschot TTJM, Eussen SJPM, van der Kallen CJH, Webers CAB, Ramdas WD.
Objectives: To investigate the association between adherence to national nutritional guidelines (Dutch Healthy Diet Index [DHD-index]) and glaucoma prevalence and to explore whether this association changed after accounting for measured intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data 2010-2013 from The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort in The Netherlands. Adults aged 40-75 years with implausible dietary intake were excluded. Dietary intake was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and adherence was quantified by the DHD-index. All participants underwent ophthalmic examination including perimetry and IOP measurement. Logistic and linear regression models examined associations of DHD adherence with glaucoma prevalence and IOP. Additional exploratory analyses assessed whether the association with glaucoma was attenuated after accounting for measured IOP. Results: Among 5729 participants (mean age: 59.5 ± 8.7 years; 50.1% female), glaucoma prevalence was 9.7% (n = 558). Each 10-point increase in DHD-index score was associated with 12.5% lower odds of glaucoma prevalence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 0.93) and lower IOP (β: -0.17; 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.09 mmHg). Individuals in the highest DHD adherence tertile had 38% lower odds of glaucoma than those in the lowest tertile (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.76). Additional adjustment for measured IOP yielded similar estimates. Conclusions: Higher adherence to the Dutch Healthy Diet was associated with a lower glaucoma prevalence. The association was only minimally attenuated after accounting for measured IOP. Longitudinal studies should examine whether adherence to national dietary guidelines is associated with glaucoma onset and progression.
Europe PMC · 2026
Healthy diet attenuates the cardiovascular risk associated with elevated monocytes: a prospective cohort study.
Lin X, Xie S, Sun Q, Deng Y, Tang J, Zhang H, Yu B, Jiang S.
Background Elevated monocyte counts predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but whether this inflammatory risk is modifiable by dietary patterns remains unknown. We investigated whether dietary quality modifies the association between peripheral monocyte counts and incident CVD and explored potential proteomic mechanisms. Methods This prospective cohort study included 26,585 participants from the UK Biobank without baseline CVD. Dietary quality was assessed using a Diet Quality Index (DQI) incorporating processed meat, fish, and plant-based food consumption. Monocyte counts were measured at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models with restricted cubic splines were used to examine the dose-response relationship between monocyte counts and CVD risk, stratified by dietary quality. Joint analyses evaluated combined effects of high monocyte counts and unhealthy diet on CVD outcomes. Proteome-wide interaction analysis was performed to identify plasma proteins linking diet-immune interactions to CVD risk. Results During a median follow-up of 16.2 years, 1,834 CVD events occurred. Elevated monocyte counts were associated with increased CVD risk (HR per SD: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11-1.48, p = 0.0009). A significant interaction was observed between monocyte count and dietary quality ( P interaction = 0.04). Joint analysis revealed that participants with high monocyte counts and unhealthy diet faced the highest risk (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.35), while those with high monocyte counts but healthy diet showed no excess risk (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.91-1.20). In an exploratory proteome-wide interaction screen, Regenerating islet-derived protein 4 (REG4) was identified as the top nominal interaction signal (P interaction = 2.69 × 10 -5 ; FDR q = 0.079), though this did not survive multiple testing correction. High diet quality substantially attenuated the positive association between monocytes and pro-inflammatory REG4 levels observed in unhealthy eaters. Conclusion Dietary quality modulates the association between peripheral monocyte counts and cardiovascular disease risk, potentially involving downstream inflammatory proteins such as REG4, though this proteomic finding remains exploratory. For individuals with elevated inflammatory burden, adherence to a healthy diet represents a practical strategy to mitigate excess cardiovascular risk.
Europe PMC · 2026
Healthy diet perceptions and drivers of fruit and vegetable food choices among adolescents in Benin: a qualitative study
Diatta AD, Bodjrènou FSU, Pedehombga A, Eissler S, Mitchodigni IM, Cunningham K, Olney D, Bliznashka L, Iruhiriye E.
Globally, 75% of adolescents do not meet recommendations for fruits and vegetables (F&V) consumption. This study investigated drivers of F&V choices among adolescents in Benin and identified barriers and facilitators to modifying F&V consumption. We conducted 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 126 adolescents and 5 semi-structured school observations in December 2024. FGDs were purposively chosen to explore variation by region (north/south), school location (urban/rural), adolescent age (12–15 years/16-18 years) and gender (boys/girls). Inductive and deductive thematic content analysis was performed using Atlas.ti . Findings showed that adolescents perceived a healthy diet as one composed of meals providing nutrients and strength, and including F&V. At home, adolescents mentioned eating staples and other vegetables more than other food groups. The foods adolescents reported typically eating at school varied by age, gender, and location. The primary categories of factors that influenced adolescent F&V choices were: intrapersonal (knowledge related to healthy eating and the nutrition and health benefits of F&V, taste preferences, and health prioritisation), socio-cultural (family and peer influences), and food environment (low availability, low affordability, convenience, and desirability). DFC factors were consistent across adolescent age, gender, and location. Multiple, dynamic, and multilevel factors influence adolescent F&V choices. Interventions that simultaneously address multiple barriers and involve family and peers are likely to be more successful in promoting F&V consumption and healthy diets than interventions only addressing individual barriers. Key messages According to adolescents in Benin, a healthy diet was one composed of meals providing nutrients and strength and including fruits and vegetables (F&V). Intrapersonal, socio-cultural, and food environment factors influenced adolescent F&V choices regardless of adolescent gender, age, and location. Adolescent F&V choices are influenced by a dynamic interplay of multiple factors. Thus, interventions to improve adolescent diets should likely address several critical barriers in an integrated and holistic manner.
