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Broadly consumed dietary patterns, such as the European and Western ones, are exerting pressures on biodiversity both in Europe and globally, and shifting toward a sustainable dietary pattern has thus become a must. This paper constitutes a preliminary communication of the results of a research project on the issue. In this study, the pressures of three dietary patterns (European, Western, and Mediterranean) on biodiversity are addressed in terms of land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication impact indicators. The environmental impacts are calculated based on a compositional analysis of each dietary pattern and the environmental footprints of the corresponding food groups. Food balance sheets published by the FAO are used as a basis for the compositional analysis, while the environmental footprints of each of the representative food products are retrieved from related life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The results show that a shift from the European to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 10 m2/capita/day land savings, 240 L/capita/day water savings, 3 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 20 gPO4eq/capita/day reductions in eutrophication potential. Likewise, a shift from the Western to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 18 m2/capita/day land savings, 100 L/capita/day water savings, 4 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 16 gPO4eq/capita/day reduction in eutrophication potential. Based on these findings, it is clear that this shift is urgently needed as a step toward environmentally sustainable dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean one, to preserve biodiversity for future generations.

PurposeSome dietary habits cluster together, and for this reason it is advised to study the impact of entire dietary patterns on human health, rather than that of individual dietary habits. The main objective of this study was to evaluate differences in gut microbiota composition and their predicted functional properties between people with a healthy (HDP) and western (WDP) dietary pattern.MethodsA cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 200 participants enrolled 2017–2018 in Poznań, Poland, equally distributed into HDP and WDP groups. Diet was estimated using 3-day food records and information on stool transit times was collected. Fecal microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its functional properties were predicted by the PICRUSt2 workflow.ResultsThe α-diversity did not differ between people with WDP and HDP, but β-diversity was associated with dietary pattern. People with HDP had higher relative abundances (RA) of Firmicutes and Faecalibacterium and lower RA of Bacteroidota and Escherichia–Shigella than participants with WDP. Only a small proportion of the variance in microbiota composition (1.8%) and its functional properties (2.9%) could be explained by dietary intake (legumes, simple sugars and their sources, like fruit, soft drinks) and stool transit characteristics.ConclusionGut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic potential is shaped by overall diet quality as well as the frequency of defecation; however, the cumulative effect of these explain only a relatively low proportion of variance.

The metabolic syndrome is common in older adults and may be modified by the diet. The aim of this study was to examine associations between a posteriori dietary patterns and the metabolic syndrome in an older New Zealand population. The REACH study (Researching Eating, Activity, and Cognitive Health) included 366 participants (aged 65–74 years, 36 % male) living independently in Auckland, New Zealand. Dietary data were collected using a 109-item FFQ with demonstrated validity and reproducibility for assessing dietary patterns using principal component analysis. The metabolic syndrome was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Associations between dietary patterns and the metabolic syndrome, adjusted for age, sex, index of multiple deprivation, physical activity, and energy intake were analysed using logistic regression analysis. Three dietary patterns explained 18 % of dietary intake variation – ‘Mediterranean style’ (salad/leafy cruciferous/other vegetables, avocados/olives, alliums, nuts/seeds, shellfish and white/oily fish, berries), ‘prudent’ (dried/fresh/frozen legumes, soya-based foods, whole grains and carrots) and ‘Western’ (processed meat/fish, sauces/condiments, cakes/biscuits/puddings and meat pies/hot chips). No associations were seen between ‘Mediterranean style’ (OR = 0·75 (95 % CI 0·53, 1·06), P = 0·11) or ‘prudent’ (OR = 1·17 (95 % CI 0·83, 1·59), P = 0·35) patterns and the metabolic syndrome after co-variate adjustment. The ‘Western’ pattern was positively associated with the metabolic syndrome (OR = 1·67 (95 % CI 1·08, 2·63), P = 0·02). There was also a small association between an index of multiple deprivation (OR = 1·04 (95 % CI 1·02, 1·06), P < 0·001) and the metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study provides further support for a Western dietary pattern being a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome in an older population.

Background Dietary patterns are associated with health outcomes and environment sustainability, having socioeconomic drivers. This ecological study aims to identify dietary patterns in food availability data at the global level using multivariate statistical methodology, to associate the identified dietary patterns with socioeconomic data and to analyze the adequacy of the applied multivariate statistical methods for this purpose. Methods Principal Component Analysis was applied to median values of times series of food availability data of 172 UN registered countries available at FAOSTAT database in Food Balance Sheets section in a sectional manner, after calculating median values of time series for each food group and country. Principal Components were associated with socioeconomic data available from the World Bank database. Sensitivity analyses were realized to verify the stability of dietary patterns through five different times. Results Five principal components were identified in the median values of each time series, each characterizing a possible dietary pattern. The first one, a westernized dietary pattern, was composed of energy-dense and processed foods, foods of animal origin, alcoholic beverages, but also, albeit less, by vegetables, fruits and nuts, being associated with income, urbanization and trade liberalization. This westernized pattern was characterized more animal origin and processed foods, such as vegetable oils, alcoholic beverages and stimulants yet preserving unprocessed and regional foods. The other dietary patterns were three agricultural patterns characterized more by regional foods, especially starchy staples, and one coastal dietary pattern composed of fish and seafoods, being associated with GINI index, poverty, and female labor force. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the stability of dietary patterns. Conclusions Principal Component Analysis was adequate to identify dietary patterns in food availability data. A westernized dietary pattern was identified, being associated with income, urbanization, and trade liberalization. This association did not occur for the remain of the dietary patterns identified, these being less driven by economic development.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disorder that can progress to fibrosis. Several dietary patterns have been associated with histological features of NAFLD. However, little is known about the association between dietary patterns and hepatic fibrosis. The current study aimed at identifying the relationship between major dietary patterns and hepatic fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. This cross-sectional study included 170 eligible subjects with NAFLD. Diet was evaluated using three 3-day dietary records during a 1-month period. Hepatic fibrosis was diagnosed using Fibroscan. Western, Iranian, and healthy dietary patterns were extracted using factor analysis. After adjustment for other risk factors, adherence to a Western dietary pattern was associated with the higher odds of fibrosis (OR: 4.21; 95% CI: 1.63-8.31), whereas adherence to a healthy dietary pattern was associated with the lower odds of fibrosis (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.10-0.49). Among main food groups, high intake of red meat, hydrogenated fats, and soft drinks was associated with the higher risk of fibrosis, whereas tea and coffee consumption had a protective role in hepatic fibrosis independent of other risk factors. The adherence to a healthy dietary pattern characterized by high intake of low-fat dairies, white meat, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oils combined with coffee and tea consumption might be helpful in the nutritional strategies against hepatic fibrosis.

Background & Aims Although dietary patterns have been linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, sparse data are available for a relationship between dietary patterns and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in West Asian populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of population-based dietary pattern with the risk of incident CKD after 6.1 years of follow-up. Methods At baseline, habitual dietary intakes of 1630 participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) who were free of CKD was assessed by a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. The following three major dietary patterns were identified using a principal components analysis: Lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern, traditional Iranian dietary pattern, and high fat, high sugar dietary pattern. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated, using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation and CKD was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m 2 . Odds ratio (OR) using multivariable logistic regression was calculated for the association of incident CKD with the extracted dietary patterns. Results After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, total energy intake, physical activity, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension the OR for participants in the highest compared with those in the lowest tertile of the lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41 to 0.80, P-trend = 0.002). In contrast, the high fat, high sugar dietary pattern was positively associated with the incidence of CKD (OR for the third tertile compared with first tertile: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.03–2.09; P-trend = 0.036). Traditional Iranian dietary pattern was not associated with incident CKD. Conclusion The high fat, high sugar dietary pattern was associated with significantly increased (46%) odds of incident CKD, whereas a lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern may be protective against the occurrence of CKD by 43%.

Long-term consumption of a Western diet is a major cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effects of diet on pancreatic structure and function remain unclear. Rats fed a high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) diet were compared with rats fed a normal diet for 3 and 18 months. Plasma biochemical parameters and inflammatory factors were used to reflect metabolic profile and inflammatory status. The rats developed metabolic disorders, and the size of the islets in the pancreas increased after 3 months of HFHF treatment but decreased and became irregular after 18 months. Fasting insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, and intact proinsulin levels were significantly higher in the HFHF group than those in the age-matched controls. Plasmatic oxidative parameters and nucleic acid oxidation markers (8-oxo-Gsn and 8-oxo-dGsn) became elevated before inflammatory factors, suggesting that the HFHF diet increased the degree of oxidative stress before affecting inflammation. Single-cell RNA sequencing also verified that the transcriptional level of oxidoreductase changed differently in islet subpopulations with aging and long-term HFHF diet. We demonstrated that long-term HFHF diet and aging-associated structural and transcriptomic changes that underlie pancreatic islet functional decay is a possible underlying mechanism of T2DM, and our study could provide new insights to prevent the development of diet-induced T2DM.

Background: Accelerated demographic aging in Hungary and across Europe presents significant public health and socioeconomic challenges, particularly in preserving cognitive function and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Modifiable lifestyle factors—especially dietary habits—play a critical role in brain aging and cognitive decline. Objective: This narrative review explores the mechanisms by which Western dietary patterns contribute to cognitive impairment and neurovascular aging, with specific attention to their relevance in the Hungarian context. It also outlines the rationale and design of the Semmelweis Study and its workplace-based health promotion program targeting lifestyle-related risk factors. Methods: A review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted focusing on Western diet, cognitive decline, cerebrovascular health, and dietary interventions. Emphasis was placed on mechanistic pathways involving systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and decreased neurotrophic support. Key findings: Western dietary patterns—characterized by high intakes of saturated fats, refined sugars, ultra-processed foods, and linoleic acid—are associated with elevated levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation product linked to neuronal injury and accelerated cognitive aging. In contrast, adherence to Mediterranean dietary patterns—particularly those rich in polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil and moderate red wine consumption—supports neurovascular integrity and promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) activity. The concept of “cognitive frailty” is introduced as a modifiable, intermediate state between healthy aging and dementia. Application: The Semmelweis Study is a prospective cohort study involving employees of Semmelweis University aged ≥25 years, collecting longitudinal data on dietary, psychosocial, and metabolic determinants of aging. The Semmelweis–EUniWell Workplace Health Promotion Model translates these findings into practical interventions targeting diet, physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors in the workplace setting. Conclusions: Improving our understanding of the diet–brain health relationship through population-specific longitudinal research is crucial for developing culturally tailored preventive strategies. The Semmelweis Study offers a scalable, evidence-based model for reducing cognitive decline and supporting healthy aging across diverse populations.

Some evidence suggests that breast-feeding may modify food preferences in the later years of life. The present study aimed to provide a systematic review of observational studies investigating the association between exposure to breast milk and its duration with data-driven or hypothesis-driven (or diet quality scores) dietary patterns over 1 year of age. The databases of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for observational studies published from January 2010 until July 2021, which led to the identification of twenty-two eligible articles. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies in terms of assessment of exposure and outcome. Of the eleven studies that assessed data-driven dietary patterns, ten reported a significant association for at least one identified dietary pattern. Overall, being breast-fed and a longer duration of any/exclusive breast-feeding were associated with higher scores on healthy dietary patterns characterised mainly by high loadings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In comparison, a negative association was found for unhealthy dietary patterns rich in foods with high content of added sugar, salt and saturated fats. In terms of diet quality scores, nine out of eleven studies reported a significant positive association between the duration of any breast-feeding and adherence to recommended healthy diets or dietary guidelines. In conclusion, the evidence from this review was generally in support of the hypothesis indicating breast-feeding is associated with healthy dietary patterns at later ages. However, due to the methodological limitations in the available studies, further research is warranted to elucidate solid evidence on this topic.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a key indicator of two main causes of death worldwide: CVD and diabetes. The present paper aimed to perform a review of the population-based research on the association of dietary patterns and the MetS in terms of methodology and findings. For the purpose of the present study, a scoping literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and hand searching in Google Scholar. Thirty-nine population-based studies were selected. Most of these studies used the factor analysis method and the a priori dietary approach, which had been initially extracted via a posteriori methods such as using the Mediterranean dietary pattern. The main finding was that following the Mediterranean or similar ‘healthy’ pattern reduced risk of the MetS, while following a ‘Western’ pattern increased risk of the MetS. The methodological approach in determining the dietary pattern of a population, whether a priori or a posteriori, should be chosen based on the purpose of the research. Overall, evidence suggests a diet based on the components of the Mediterranean diet and the avoidance of the ‘Western’ diet can aid in preventing the MetS.