whole grains

fruits

Fruits and whole grains are frequently grouped together as recommended, nutrient-dense components of an anti-inflammatory diet [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. They are both highlighted as essential food groups for maintaining health [6] and are prioritized in nutritional programs like the CACFP to improve dietary quality [7], [8]. — 38 supporting facts

vegetables

Vegetables and whole grains are frequently grouped together as core components of healthy, plant-based, and Mediterranean dietary patterns, as evidenced by their consistent inclusion in nutritional recommendations [1], [2], and [3]. They are also collectively cited as essential food groups whose low intake is linked to global health burdens and chronic disease risks [4], [5], and [6]. — 36 supporting facts

legumes

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• The Mediterranean diet, which is associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, comprises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts, contrasting with the highly processed foods found in the Western diet.
• Standardizing the quantification method for food components like whole grains and legumes (e.g., specifying grams of cooked vs. dry weight) is necessary to improve comparisons and prevent discrepancies arising from user interpretation.
• To improve population health, policy measures should support increased intake of health-promoting foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds, while reducing the intake of unhealthy foods such as red meat, processed meat, and sugary beverages.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Diets globally continue to lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while including excessive and sometimes rising amounts of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• Risks related to dietary composition in the 2021 Global Nutrition Report analysis included low intake of fruits (2.8 million deaths), whole grains (2.3 million), vegetables (1.7 million), legumes (1.5 million), nuts and seeds (1.0 million), and high intake of red meat (980,000), processed meat (880,000), and sugar-sweetened beverages (290,000).
• The Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) scores dietary intake based on eleven components: fruits and vegetables (≥ 400g), beans and other legumes (> 0g), nuts and seeds (> 0g), whole grains (> 0g), dietary fiber (> 25g), total fat (< 30% total energy), saturated fat (< 10% total energy), dietary sodium (< 2g), free sugars (< 10% total energy), processed meat (0g), and unprocessed red meat (≤ 71g).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• The planetary health diet prioritizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while limiting the intake of red meat and tubers, and promoting moderate consumption of eggs, poultry, and dairy products.
• Imbalanced diets low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red and processed meat are responsible for one of the greatest health burdens globally and in most regions.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• The EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems established specific dietary recommendations for minimum intake of health-promoting foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains) and maximum intake of foods with detrimental health or environmental impacts (red meat, processed meat, dairy, fish).
• Replacing high-fat and sugar products in the Western diet with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains may reduce low-grade inflammation and prevent the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) assigns points based on daily or weekly servings of specific food groups, including whole grains (8 servings/day), fruits (3 servings/day), vegetables (6 servings/day), dairy (2 servings/day), wine (1.5 servings/day for women, 3 servings/day for men), fish/seafood (6 servings/week), poultry (4 servings/week), olives/legumes/nuts (4 servings/week), potatoes/starchy roots (3 servings/week), eggs (3 servings/week), sweets (3 servings/week), and meat (1 serving/week).
• The GDR Score categorizes diet quality by assigning positive scores to the consumption of dark-green leafy vegetables, vitamin A-rich orange-colored vegetables, roots, tubers, other vegetables, vitamin A-rich fruits, citrus fruits, other fruits (including red/purple/blue fruits), legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains.
• Plant-based diets are characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while minimizing or excluding animal products like red meat, fish, and dairy. This dietary pattern is high in fiber and nutrients and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall well-being.
• The Western pattern diet is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
• In dietary indices, fruits and vegetables demonstrate robust correlations with total scores, underscoring their importance in evaluating both health and sustainability, whereas whole grains and legumes exhibit weaker correlations.
• In 2018, the highest global AHEI component scores for healthier items were for legumes/nuts (5.0), followed by whole grains (4.7), seafood omega-3 fat (4.2), and non-starchy vegetables (3.9).
• Increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein sources is associated with a reduced risk of metabolic diseases, type 2 diabetes, and mortality.
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

nuts

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• The Mediterranean diet, which is associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, comprises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts, contrasting with the highly processed foods found in the Western diet.
• The National Indian Council on Aging suggests snacking on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Diets globally continue to lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while including excessive and sometimes rising amounts of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) scores dietary intake based on eleven components: fruits and vegetables (≥ 400g), beans and other legumes (> 0g), nuts and seeds (> 0g), whole grains (> 0g), dietary fiber (> 25g), total fat (< 30% total energy), saturated fat (< 10% total energy), dietary sodium (< 2g), free sugars (< 10% total energy), processed meat (0g), and unprocessed red meat (≤ 71g).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• The Mediterranean diet prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil. This diet provides fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall wellness.
• The planetary health diet prioritizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while limiting the intake of red meat and tubers, and promoting moderate consumption of eggs, poultry, and dairy products.
• Imbalanced diets low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red and processed meat are responsible for one of the greatest health burdens globally and in most regions.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• The EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems established specific dietary recommendations for minimum intake of health-promoting foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains) and maximum intake of foods with detrimental health or environmental impacts (red meat, processed meat, dairy, fish).
• Replacing high-fat and sugar products in the Western diet with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains may reduce low-grade inflammation and prevent the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) assigns points based on daily or weekly servings of specific food groups, including whole grains (8 servings/day), fruits (3 servings/day), vegetables (6 servings/day), dairy (2 servings/day), wine (1.5 servings/day for women, 3 servings/day for men), fish/seafood (6 servings/week), poultry (4 servings/week), olives/legumes/nuts (4 servings/week), potatoes/starchy roots (3 servings/week), eggs (3 servings/week), sweets (3 servings/week), and meat (1 serving/week).
• Plant-based diets are characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while minimizing or excluding animal products like red meat, fish, and dairy. This dietary pattern is high in fiber and nutrients and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall well-being.
• A quarter of all deaths among adults globally are attributable to poor diets, defined as diets low in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Western pattern diet is characterized by low intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and seeds.
• In 2018, the highest global AHEI component scores for healthier items were for legumes/nuts (5.0), followed by whole grains (4.7), seafood omega-3 fat (4.2), and non-starchy vegetables (3.9).
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

red meat

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Higher-income countries exhibit better scores for healthy dietary components, such as fruit and whole grains, but worse scores for unhealthy components, such as red/processed meats and sodium, compared to lower-income countries.
• Experts recommend changing eating patterns by making gradual shifts, such as increasing whole grains to add fiber, reducing processed food, and substituting red meat with fish, chicken, or plant proteins like beans.
• Higher education was generally linked to greater consumption of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and plant oils, but not always to lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and red/processed meat.
• To improve population health, policy measures should support increased intake of health-promoting foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds, while reducing the intake of unhealthy foods such as red meat, processed meat, and sugary beverages.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Diets globally continue to lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while including excessive and sometimes rising amounts of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• Risks related to dietary composition in the 2021 Global Nutrition Report analysis included low intake of fruits (2.8 million deaths), whole grains (2.3 million), vegetables (1.7 million), legumes (1.5 million), nuts and seeds (1.0 million), and high intake of red meat (980,000), processed meat (880,000), and sugar-sweetened beverages (290,000).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• South Asia exhibits relatively high diet diversity due to high consumption of whole grains and low intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and red/processed meat.
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• The planetary health diet prioritizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while limiting the intake of red meat and tubers, and promoting moderate consumption of eggs, poultry, and dairy products.
• Imbalanced diets low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red and processed meat are responsible for one of the greatest health burdens globally and in most regions.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• The EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems established specific dietary recommendations for minimum intake of health-promoting foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains) and maximum intake of foods with detrimental health or environmental impacts (red meat, processed meat, dairy, fish).
• Plant-based diets are characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while minimizing or excluding animal products like red meat, fish, and dairy. This dietary pattern is high in fiber and nutrients and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall well-being.
• The Western pattern diet is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
• A quarter of all deaths among adults globally are attributable to poor diets, defined as diets low in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

processed meat

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Higher-income countries exhibit better scores for healthy dietary components, such as fruit and whole grains, but worse scores for unhealthy components, such as red/processed meats and sodium, compared to lower-income countries.
• Higher education was generally linked to greater consumption of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and plant oils, but not always to lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and red/processed meat.
• To improve population health, policy measures should support increased intake of health-promoting foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds, while reducing the intake of unhealthy foods such as red meat, processed meat, and sugary beverages.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Diets globally continue to lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while including excessive and sometimes rising amounts of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• Risks related to dietary composition in the 2021 Global Nutrition Report analysis included low intake of fruits (2.8 million deaths), whole grains (2.3 million), vegetables (1.7 million), legumes (1.5 million), nuts and seeds (1.0 million), and high intake of red meat (980,000), processed meat (880,000), and sugar-sweetened beverages (290,000).
• The Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) scores dietary intake based on eleven components: fruits and vegetables (≥ 400g), beans and other legumes (> 0g), nuts and seeds (> 0g), whole grains (> 0g), dietary fiber (> 25g), total fat (< 30% total energy), saturated fat (< 10% total energy), dietary sodium (< 2g), free sugars (< 10% total energy), processed meat (0g), and unprocessed red meat (≤ 71g).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• South Asia exhibits relatively high diet diversity due to high consumption of whole grains and low intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and red/processed meat.
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• Imbalanced diets low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red and processed meat are responsible for one of the greatest health burdens globally and in most regions.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• The EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems established specific dietary recommendations for minimum intake of health-promoting foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains) and maximum intake of foods with detrimental health or environmental impacts (red meat, processed meat, dairy, fish).
• A quarter of all deaths among adults globally are attributable to poor diets, defined as diets low in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

fish

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Experts recommend changing eating patterns by making gradual shifts, such as increasing whole grains to add fiber, reducing processed food, and substituting red meat with fish, chicken, or plant proteins like beans.
• The author of the Harmony Valley Farm blog post asserts that a diet consisting of local fruits, vegetables, some meat, fish, and whole grains, combined with one hour of daily exercise, serves as a recommended framework for individual health.
• The Mediterranean diet prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil. This diet provides fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall wellness.
• The planetary health diet prioritizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while limiting the intake of red meat and tubers, and promoting moderate consumption of eggs, poultry, and dairy products.
• The EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems established specific dietary recommendations for minimum intake of health-promoting foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains) and maximum intake of foods with detrimental health or environmental impacts (red meat, processed meat, dairy, fish).
• The Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) assigns points based on daily or weekly servings of specific food groups, including whole grains (8 servings/day), fruits (3 servings/day), vegetables (6 servings/day), dairy (2 servings/day), wine (1.5 servings/day for women, 3 servings/day for men), fish/seafood (6 servings/week), poultry (4 servings/week), olives/legumes/nuts (4 servings/week), potatoes/starchy roots (3 servings/week), eggs (3 servings/week), sweets (3 servings/week), and meat (1 serving/week).
• Plant-based diets are characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while minimizing or excluding animal products like red meat, fish, and dairy. This dietary pattern is high in fiber and nutrients and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall well-being.
• The Western pattern diet is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
• The Western pattern diet is characterized by low intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and seeds.
• Researchers defined 'traditional' dietary patterns as those high in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and whole grains, while 'Western' diets were defined as consisting mainly of processed or fried foods, refined grains, and sugar.
• Gibbons stated: "If most of the world ate more local fruits and vegetables, a little meat, fish, and some whole grains, and exercised an hour a day, that would be good news for our health—and for the planet."

sugar-sweetened beverages

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Higher education was generally linked to greater consumption of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and plant oils, but not always to lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and red/processed meat.
• To improve population health, policy measures should support increased intake of health-promoting foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds, while reducing the intake of unhealthy foods such as red meat, processed meat, and sugary beverages.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Diets globally continue to lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while including excessive and sometimes rising amounts of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• Risks related to dietary composition in the 2021 Global Nutrition Report analysis included low intake of fruits (2.8 million deaths), whole grains (2.3 million), vegetables (1.7 million), legumes (1.5 million), nuts and seeds (1.0 million), and high intake of red meat (980,000), processed meat (880,000), and sugar-sweetened beverages (290,000).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• South Asia exhibits relatively high diet diversity due to high consumption of whole grains and low intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and red/processed meat.
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• A quarter of all deaths among adults globally are attributable to poor diets, defined as diets low in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

seeds

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• The National Indian Council on Aging suggests snacking on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• The Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI) scores dietary intake based on eleven components: fruits and vegetables (≥ 400g), beans and other legumes (> 0g), nuts and seeds (> 0g), whole grains (> 0g), dietary fiber (> 25g), total fat (< 30% total energy), saturated fat (< 10% total energy), dietary sodium (< 2g), free sugars (< 10% total energy), processed meat (0g), and unprocessed red meat (≤ 71g).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and oils high in unsaturated fats, while containing little to no red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, and oils high in saturated fats.
• The Mediterranean diet prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil. This diet provides fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and may support heart health, blood sugar management, and overall wellness.
• Imbalanced diets low in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red and processed meat are responsible for one of the greatest health burdens globally and in most regions.
• A quarter of all deaths among adults globally are attributable to poor diets, defined as diets low in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and high in red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.
• The Western pattern diet is characterized by low intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and seeds.
• The Global Nutrition Report 2021 analysis includes diet-disease associations for low intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts/seeds, and whole grains, as well as for high intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks.

fruit

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Higher-income countries exhibit better scores for healthy dietary components, such as fruit and whole grains, but worse scores for unhealthy components, such as red/processed meats and sodium, compared to lower-income countries.
• Globally, women had modestly higher AHEI scores than men for fruit (+0.2), non-starchy vegetables (+0.3), and whole grains (+0.4).
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• The Western pattern diet is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and obesity compared to a 'prudent pattern diet,' which contains higher proportions of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and poultry.
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• Globally, more educated individuals had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.8), sodium (+0.7), whole grains (+0.6), and non-starchy vegetables (+0.5).
• Global intake of whole grains and fruit and vegetables increased by 2% between 2010 and 2018.

Western-style diet

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Adopting balanced diets that include plant-based foods and whole grains can help mitigate the health risks associated with the Western Pattern Diet.
• The Western Pattern Diet is typically low in whole grains, fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
• The Western pattern diet is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and obesity compared to a 'prudent pattern diet,' which contains higher proportions of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and poultry.
• The Western pattern diet is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
• The Western pattern diet is characterized by low intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and seeds.

sodium

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Higher-income countries exhibit better scores for healthy dietary components, such as fruit and whole grains, but worse scores for unhealthy components, such as red/processed meats and sodium, compared to lower-income countries.
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Suboptimal diets are characterized by low intake of fibers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, milk, seafood, calcium, and healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids) and high intake of trans-fatty acids, sodium, red or processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, according to Afshin et al. (2019).
• In high-income countries, Central/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, improvements in dietary quality driven by increased intake of fruit, non-starchy vegetables, legumes/nuts, and whole grains have been offset by stable or only minor reductions in red/processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and sodium.
• Globally, more educated individuals had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.8), sodium (+0.7), whole grains (+0.6), and non-starchy vegetables (+0.5).

inflammation

Whole grains are recommended to reduce inflammation by prioritizing them over refined carbohydrates like white bread [1], as they are listed among foods that reduce inflammation such as quinoa and oatmeal [2], and as part of dietary strategies including lean proteins and fruits [3]. — 5 supporting facts

Alternative Healthy Eating Index

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• Globally, women had modestly higher AHEI scores than men for fruit (+0.2), non-starchy vegetables (+0.3), and whole grains (+0.4).
• Globally, between 1990 and 2018, AHEI scores increased for non-starchy vegetables (+1.1), legumes/nuts (+1.1), and fruit (+0.1); decreased for red/processed meat (−1.4), sugar-sweetened beverages (−0.6), and sodium (−0.4); and remained stable for whole grains (+0.1), PUFAs (0), and seafood omega-3 (0).
• Globally, urban residents had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.2) and whole grains (+0.2), but lower scores for sugar-sweetened beverages (-0.5), red/processed meat (-0.4), and legumes/nuts (-0.1).
• Globally, more educated individuals had higher AHEI scores for fruit (+0.8), sodium (+0.7), whole grains (+0.6), and non-starchy vegetables (+0.5).
• In 2018, the highest global AHEI component scores for healthier items were for legumes/nuts (5.0), followed by whole grains (4.7), seafood omega-3 fat (4.2), and non-starchy vegetables (3.9).

western diet

The 'western diet' and 'whole grains' are related because the western diet is characterized by the consumption of refined grains rather than whole grains [1], and replacing components of the western diet with whole grains is recommended to improve health outcomes {fact:2, fact:3, fact:4}. — 4 supporting facts

meat

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• The author of the Harmony Valley Farm blog post asserts that a diet consisting of local fruits, vegetables, some meat, fish, and whole grains, combined with one hour of daily exercise, serves as a recommended framework for individual health.
• The Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) assigns points based on daily or weekly servings of specific food groups, including whole grains (8 servings/day), fruits (3 servings/day), vegetables (6 servings/day), dairy (2 servings/day), wine (1.5 servings/day for women, 3 servings/day for men), fish/seafood (6 servings/week), poultry (4 servings/week), olives/legumes/nuts (4 servings/week), potatoes/starchy roots (3 servings/week), eggs (3 servings/week), sweets (3 servings/week), and meat (1 serving/week).
• Researchers defined 'traditional' dietary patterns as those high in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and whole grains, while 'Western' diets were defined as consisting mainly of processed or fried foods, refined grains, and sugar.
• Gibbons stated: "If most of the world ate more local fruits and vegetables, a little meat, fish, and some whole grains, and exercised an hour a day, that would be good news for our health—and for the planet."

processed foods

Justification not yet generated — showing supporting facts

• The Mediterranean diet, which is associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, comprises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts, contrasting with the highly processed foods found in the Western diet.
• Experts recommend changing eating patterns by making gradual shifts, such as increasing whole grains to add fiber, reducing processed food, and substituting red meat with fish, chicken, or plant proteins like beans.
• The Western pattern diet is rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
• Researchers defined 'traditional' dietary patterns as those high in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and whole grains, while 'Western' diets were defined as consisting mainly of processed or fried foods, refined grains, and sugar.

chronic inflammation

Whole grains are identified as a dietary component that helps prevent and reduce chronic inflammation [1], [2]. Furthermore, replacing processed foods with whole grains is associated with a reduction in low-grade inflammation [3]. — 3 supporting facts

Exercise

Exercise and whole grains are both identified as key components of a healthy lifestyle framework in [1] and [2], while [3] highlights their roles as part of a broader strategy for reducing chronic inflammation. — 3 supporting facts

obesity

Obesity and whole grains are related as dietary factors influencing health outcomes, where low intake of whole grains is identified as a cause of dietary ill health [1] and a prudent diet rich in whole grains is associated with a lower risk of obesity [2]. — 2 supporting facts

dietary diversity

The concepts are related because the consumption of whole grains is identified as a primary driver of high dietary diversity in South Asia, as stated in [1]. — 1 supporting fact

testosterone

Testosterone and whole grains are related through their association with managing chronic inflammation. [1] explicitly recommends whole grains as an anti-inflammatory food in dietary procedures to reduce inflammation. — 1 supporting fact