The Mediterranean Diet: Integrating Global Practices for Health and Environmental Sustainability

The field of nutrition and environmental sustainability is witnessing an emerging interest in combining dietary patterns to support both human health and the environment. At the forefront of this evolution is the dietary concept that merges the renowned benefits of the Mediterranean diet with diverse global practices. Traditionally, the Mediterranean diet has been celebrated for its emphasis on consuming whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, while minimizing processed foods and red meat. Given its evidence base for cardiometabolic health and its generally plant-forward profile, the Mediterranean diet provides a useful reference model for designing dietary patterns that can also reduce environmental pressures when adapted to local contexts. Meanwhile, many regions across the globe have developed their own sustainable food practices that can equally contribute to well-being and environmental balance. Exploring how these elements can be harmonized internationally is a promising yet complex challenge. The current exploration is still in its infancy, with significant gaps remaining in understanding the multifaceted nature of diet adaptation and global application. The interactions between the traditional foods of the Mediterranean diet and their synergistic effect on disease prevention and health promotion is also still under investigation. This Research Topic aims to refine this concept by investigating methodologies that can accurately measure the impact of a globally integrated dietary model on both nutrition and the environment. The objectives are manifold: to assess the feasibility of implementing traditional Mediterranean diet attributes in disparate ecological and cultural contexts, to innovate assessment tools that measure diet-induced ecological footprints, and to identify strategies that will encourage adherence to such a diet across various populations. This research will provide valuable insights into creating a dietary model that can reconcile the often-competing demands of public health and ecological preservation.To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Innovations in diet quality assessment methodologieso Comparative analyses of traditional diets worldwideo Impacts of dietary adaptation on local food systemso Policy frameworks for promoting sustainable dietary practiceso Cultural barriers and facilitators in global diet integrationo Interventional-clinical studies and animal studies about the role of traditional functional foods and dietary models on human health We encourage submissions addressing diverse methodologies, including original research, reviews, case studies, and policy discussions. Topic editors: Antonios Koutelidakis, Gordana Kenđel Jovanović Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77845/the-mediterranean-diet-integrating-global-practices-for-health-and-environmental-sustainability