Italy has published the 2025 National Guidelines on the Mediterranean Diet, representing a highly relevant and practical model for implementing patient-centred nutritional care.
Promoted and supported by SINPE, the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, and the Italian Society for Cardiovascular Prevention (SIPREC), the guidelines were developed with a strong scientific and clinical foundation by a distinguished group of researchers and clinicians led by Prof. Nicola Veronese and the Scientific Committee.
Built on robust evidence, the guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations to support the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, while promoting sustainable dietary patterns and improving health outcomes across populations.
Key Features
- Evidence-based and multidisciplinary: Developed through systematic review methodologies and expert consensus across multiple health domains.
- Patient-centred approach: Emphasises personalised dietary counselling based on clinical condition, preferences, and social context.
- Whole-diet perspective: Focuses on plant-forward eating patterns, healthy fats (notably extra virgin olive oil), and balanced protein sources.
- Sustainability and cultural relevance: Recognises the Mediterranean Diet as both a health-promoting and environmentally sustainable model.
Impact for Patients and Health Systems
The guidelines demonstrate how dietary patterns can:
- Improve cardiometabolic health and reduce mortality risk
- Support management of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer
- Promote healthy ageing and quality of life
- Contribute to sustainable and equitable food systems
This initiative showcases how evidence-based nutrition guidance can be translated into practical, scalable, and policy-relevant action. It provides a replicable model for integrating nutrition into healthcare systems while aligning with ONCA’s vision of equitable access to safe and appropriate nutritional care.
