@elizabetj

Traditional diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fermented foods (e.g., Mediterranean, Japanese, or Okinawan diets) are strongly associated with lower rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, contributing to greater longevity.Conversely, rapid shifts toward Western-style diets—high in processed foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats—have driven dramatic increases in metabolic disorders, overweight/obesity, and chronic disease burdens in many countries (China, India, Mexico, Middle East, etc.) within just 1–2 generations.Food culture also influences portion sizes, meal frequency, eating speed, and social eating behaviors—all of which impact energy balance and metabolic health.In short: A health-protective dietary culture is one of the most powerful and sustainable determinants of population-level health outcomes.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470839/

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