January 2, 2019 | The Mediterranean diet received Best Overall Diet and Best Heart-Healthy Diet in the 2019 US News & World Report rankings. Among the 41 commercial and non-commercial diets included in the evaluation this year, it also earned the #1 spot in several subcategories including: Best Diets for Healthy Eating, Best Diets for Diabetes, Best Plant Based Diets and Easiest Diets to Follow.

“This is not surprising in the wake of positive studies published in peer reviewed literature that support following a Mediterranean style meal plan to reduce heart attacks and strokes, and also the risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, memory loss, depression and breast cancer,” according to Dr. Stephanie Coulter. “The Mediterranean diet is a great lifestyle choice for all ages and one that I follow and recommend for my own family, friends and patients.”

Dr. Coulter shared her view on the Mediterranean Diet in a Straight Talk newsletter in 2013 when results were first published.  Although the original study sparked great debate, the authors published a reanalysis that remained favorable to heart health. “Hopefully the US News & World Report ranking will give the Mediterranean diet the credibility we believe it deserves, will encourage lifestyle modifications and inspire a few more new year’s resolutions,” added Dr. Coulter.

The rankings were created by U.S. News editors and reporters with the help of a panel of diet and nutrition experts after a thorough review of medical journals, government reports and other resources.

Learn more about the scoring and categories U.S. News Best Diets: How We Rated 41 Eating Plans