Do the Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet Increase with a Higher Proportion of Whole Plant-Based Foods?

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to explore the potential health effects of increasing the proportion of whole plant-based foods within a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), summarize the available evidence, and provide recommendations for future research on this topic.

Recent findings: Replacing animal-based foods by whole plant-based foods may enhance the health benefits of diets. Beyond evidence on individual food substitutions, an emerging body of literature points out that adopting a plant-forward Mediterranean diet may further amplify the positive health effects of the overall dietary pattern. Additionally, although the MedDiet is recognized as an environmentally sustainable pattern, a fully plant-based version could further reduce its environmental impact and resource use compared to an omnivorous diet. The MedDiet is widely recognized for its health benefits, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions. These benefits are largely attributed to its emphasis on whole, plant-based foods. Although evidence is limited, current findings suggest that reducing the animal-based content of the traditional MedDiet, along with the increase in whole plant-based food, could lead to enhanced health benefits. Furthermore, the reduction in environmental pollution and resources overused could contribute to broader public health and sustainability. Long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the comparative health effects of these dietary patterns.