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Mediterranean diet: Why a new pyramid? An updated representation of the traditional Mediterranean diet by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU)
Francesco Sofi, Daniela Martini, Donato Angelino, Giulia Cairella, Angelo Campanozzi, Francesca Danesi, Monica Gabriela Dinu, Daniela Erba et al.. Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 2025-02-21
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
In recent decades, an increasing body of research has highlighted significant scientific evidence linking adherence to the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Simultaneously, concerns about the environmental impact of the food system have intensified, particularly considering projected population growth in the coming years. This work introduces a new graphical representation of the traditional Mediterranean dietary model, developed by a dedicated Working Group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU). This new model emphasizes plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and extra-virgin olive oil, at its foundation, reflecting their historical and scientific significance in the Mediterranean diet. Animal products, particularly red and processed meats, are de-emphasized, with dairy, white meats, and eggs recommended for moderate, weekly consumption. The pyramid also advocates limiting added sugars, salt, and alcohol to address their links with chronic diseases. Sustainability principles are woven into the framework, prioritizing local, seasonal, and minimally processed foods while discouraging food waste. The pyramid aligns with global recommendations from FAO and WHO, offering a comprehensive guide to adopting a healthy, sustainable dietary lifestyle while preserving cultural traditions and addressing contemporary nutritional and environmental challenges.
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APA 7th
Sofi, F., Martini, D., Angelino, D., Cairella, G., Campanozzi, A., Danesi, F., et al. (2025). Mediterranean diet: Why a new pyramid? An updated representation of the traditional Mediterranean diet by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU). Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.103919
Vancouver
Sofi F, Martini D, Angelino D, Cairella G, Campanozzi A, Danesi F, et al. Mediterranean diet: Why a new pyramid? An updated representation of the traditional Mediterranean diet by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU). Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2025.103919. PMID: 40087038.
BibTeX
@article{sofi2025-40087038,
author = {Sofi, Francesco and Martini, Daniela and Angelino, Donato and Cairella, Giulia and Campanozzi, Angelo and Danesi, Francesca and Dinu, Monica Gabriela and Erba, Daniela and others},
title = {{Mediterranean diet: Why a new pyramid? An updated representation of the traditional Mediterranean diet by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU)}},
journal = {Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.numecd.2025.103919},
pmid = {40087038},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.103919}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- In recent decades, an increasing body of research has highlighted significant scientific evidence linking adherence to the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Why it matters
This paper presents an updated Mediterranean diet pyramid from the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, noting evidence linking the diet to reduced risk of chronic diseases. It does not test any intervention for Alzheimer's disease, so it cannot show that this diet prevents or treats dementia.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on institution's track record, so that was left out: it earned 47 of the 97 points we could judge it on, which is 48 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases: journal h-index 144 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 66 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 22.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 6 / 6 | Cited 55.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 66 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Pasquale Strazzullo: h-index 65 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | — / 3 | No institution listed in OpenAlex — left out of this score |
| Multicenter collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 0 institution(s) in 0 countries — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40087038) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Points | 47 / 97 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 47 of the 97 points we could judge it on is 48 out of 100. |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2025.103919
- PubMed: 40087038
- Original source →
- Free full text: Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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