Healthy Eating Archive

What we eat plays an important role in health and quality of life - but is there a single best diet? One newer choice is the largely plant-based portfolio diet, which combines aspects of highly regarded eating patterns and focuses on foods proven to lower harmful blood lipids and enhance cardiovascular health.

Following a Mediterranean eating pattern is linked to longer life-a finding at least partly explained by such heart-related improvements as decreases in body mass index, inflammation, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and insulin resistance.

Compared with people who eat out frequently, people who eat meals made at home tend to weigh less, have healthier cholesterol and blood sugar values, and are less likely to develop diabetes. Lack of time, not lack of skills, may be the biggest barrier. Tips for creating healthy, home-cooked meals include smart ways to stock a pantry, fridge, and freezer with legumes and whole grains. For example, people can use an electric pressure cooker to make a dozen or more half-cup servings of brown rice that can then be stored in the freezer. This technique, called batch cooking, can be used with dried beans as well as with flavor enhancers such as minced garlic and ginger.

A 2024 study found that women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet were up to 23% less likely than women who didn't to die over a study period of 25 years.

A 2024 study of people ages 80 and older suggested that following healthy habits-like eating a diversified diet that includes high amounts of fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, and tea; regularly exercising; and not smoking-can help people live longer.

A 2024 study of more than 215,000 people (ages 37 to 73) found a link between consuming a sodium-rich diet and increased risks of having eczema, an eczema flare-up, or severe eczema.

People who followed a balanced diet consisting of a good mix of healthy foods like lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and dairy, with occasional processed foods had the highest scores of cognitive function compared with other eating patterns, according to a 2024 study.