It’s widely accepted by healthcare professionals around the world that diet plays a key role in a person’s health. Those who get proper nutrition tend to have stronger immune systems, safer pregnancies and childbirth, a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, and even longer lifespans.
The reasons behind this are numerous, complicated, and not yet fully clear. Some studies suggest that eating too much added sugar, saturated and trans fats, and excess sodium may lead to chronic inflammation—a hidden risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, poor gut health, and other long-term illnesses.
Similarly, the American Heart Association recently recommended diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy, and plant-based or lean animal protein to promote heart health. Experts believe this way of eating helps by reducing risk factors like inflammation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and poor sleep.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also connects nutrition to immune health. Plus, research indicates that carotenoids—natural antioxidants found in certain veggies and fruits—can improve blood health in people with liver disease.
Years of scientific evidence highlight just how crucial diet is in managing health—something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that a healthy diet should focus on plenty of nutrient-rich foods and drinks, including:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy
- Lean protein
- Healthy fats and oils
Meanwhile, added sugar, salt, saturated fats, and alcohol should be limited for better health.
Some diets linked to health benefits include the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet (designed to lower blood pressure), and the USDA’s MyPlate approach.
Food as Medicine
The idea of “food as medicine” is based on the understanding that what we eat can help prevent and manage disease. While there’s no single definition, it generally means making diet a priority in health plans—whether to prevent illness, ease symptoms, or even reverse certain conditions.
This approach encourages eating more whole, minimally processed plant-based foods while cutting back on heavily processed items packed with sugar, oil, and salt.
Certain foods are often highlighted for their supposed medicinal qualities, usually because they’re rich in specific nutrients or bioactive compounds—sometimes called “functional foods.” These include herbs, spices, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.
“Food as medicine” challenges traditional Western medicine, which mostly relies on drugs and medical technology. That said, even conventional medicine sometimes prescribes diet and lifestyle changes first—like for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Still, there’s debate over the ideal balance of macronutrients in human diets, as discussed in a paper published in Nature.
Benefits
Here’s how a “food as medicine” approach can help:
Disease Management
Medical nutrition therapy—a proven practice—uses diet to help treat diseases, showing how food impacts chronic conditions. For example, more fiber can lower blood sugar in people with prediabetes or diabetes, reducing complications from high glucose levels.
Eating better can also ease symptoms and improve daily life. One study found that a modified Mediterranean diet lessened pain, fatigue, and discomfort in people with lipoedema (a condition causing abnormal fat buildup in the legs). Similarly, research suggests that healthy eating during breast cancer treatment may reduce side effects like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Cost-Effective
Chronic diseases are rising globally, along with healthcare costs. In 2010 alone, 86% (over $400 billion) of U.S. healthcare spending went toward treating chronic illnesses—costs shared by taxpayers and patients.
Using food as medicine might lower expenses by improving health markers, reducing medication needs, and preventing hospital visits. But this depends on fixing issues like food access in low-income areas, where healthy options are often scarce.
Limitations
Still, “food as medicine” isn’t perfect. Here’s why:
Not a Cure-All
Diet alone can’t fix every health problem. Chronic diseases stem from many factors, like genetics, toxins, or autoimmune issues. While food can help manage symptoms or slow progression, it should always complement—not replace—proper medical care.
Misinformation Risks
Social media can spread health tips but also false claims—especially about “food as medicine” or alternative therapies. As nutritionist Dr. Joshua Wolrich explains in Food Isn’t Medicine, labeling foods as “bad” can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
Drug Interactions
Some foods affect medications—known as drug-nutrient interactions. For instance, grapefruit juice can interfere with certain drugs, though it might boost cholesterol meds. These interactions must be considered to balance food and medicine safely.
The Bottom Line
While “food as medicine” is gaining attention in the West, many cultures have long known diet’s impact on health. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can lower risks for heart disease, diabetes, and more.
But it’s not a magic fix—it works best alongside medical treatment.