Mediterranean Diet Ranked Best Diet for 8th Year in a Row

For an impressive eighth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report named the Mediterranean Diet its “Best Diet of 2025” overall. U.S. News & World Report panelists evaluated plans for nutritional completeness, health risks and benefits, long-term sustainability and evidence-based effectiveness. They also considered each diet’s strengths and weaknesses and goals each diet might be most effective at addressing.

In addition to winning the best overall diet, it also came in as the #1 or #2 position in just about every category, from heart disease and diabetes to brain health, arthritis and menopause.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the Mediterranean Diet is less of a diet (which often stresses a restricted way to eat), but more of a lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, nuts, and seeds while limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat. It is a sustainable and enjoyable way to improve overall health and well-being, including: 

Cardiovascular Health: 

• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure 
• Lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol 

Metabolic Health: 

• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, improved blood sugar control, and lower body weight and reduced risk of obesity

Cancer Prevention: 

• Lower risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer

Cognitive Function: 

• Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
• Improved memory and cognitive performance

Other Benefits: 

• Improved gut health and digestion
• Reduced inflammation
• Increased lifespan
• Enhanced mood and mental well-being

Whether you’re looking to improve your diet for a specific health concern or are looking for a lifestyle shift as you age, the Mediterranean diet consistently supports positive dietary choices. The real beauty of the Mediterranean Diet is the variety of foods you can enjoy, with olive oil serving as a cornerstone ingredient across all its culinary traditions.

There are 18 countries with coasts on the Mediterranean Sea: Spain, southern France, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Each country has its own unique culinary style, but all prominently feature olive oil as a key ingredient that enhances both flavor and health benefits.

Olive oil ties these diverse cuisines together, offering an essential foundation for the Mediterranean diet. There’s no limit to how you can harness the benefits (and great tastes) of this proven healthy nutritional plan.

How to Get Started

Want to get started eating the Mediterranean way? Try incorporating at least 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into your daily diet. Here are some recipes, eating plans and guides.

• Browse the recipes on our website. We offer dozens of delicious recipes that make the best use of olive oil. 
• Try the 4-Week Mediterranean Diet program offered by Oldways. You can also download a free 28-page menu plan book and for support, join their Facebook group. 
• The Culinary Institute of America also provides an excellent guide on incorporating olive oil into a plant-forward diet. 
• Everyday Health offers a 14-Day Meal Plan and a helpful list of foods to include in the diet
• EatingWell offers a meal plan for healthy aging that includes a week-by-week guide to meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including calorie variations and weekly prep suggestions. They also have a 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Plan for Beginners with menus and recipes.