Evidence is growing that targeted dietary interventions can treat, delay and even prevent some illnesses.
- The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet — yes to fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy; no to salt, saturated fat and booze — offers a promising alternative to medication for people with early-stage hypertension.
The Mediterranean diet — largely similar, but you get moderate amounts of red wine and salt, sometimes supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts — is associated with positive changes in polycystic ovarian syndrome. - There are early hints that some people with neurological disorders, from migraine to Alzheimer’s disease, might benefit from avoiding some ingredients, such as caffeine, and including others, such as specific fats.
- Researchers caution that more evidence is needed, but large-scale randomized trials of dietary interventions are difficult to conduct, especially where people can’t afford to change what they eat. Policymakers have a role to play, say scientists: stop subsidizing the ingredients of cheap, processed foods and invest in making healthy options easy and accessible for all.