The Mediterranean Diet Wins Top Honors Again: Here’s What You Need to Know
The Mediterranean diet has been crowned the best diet of 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, earning 4-plus stars for its overall health benefits, ease of follow, and ability to help with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diverticulitis, and fatty liver disease. This is the sixth year in a row that the Mediterranean diet has taken the top spot.
The diet, which is more of a lifestyle than a strict set of rules, emphasizes eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and nuts and seeds, while limiting consumption of sweets and red meat. Fish, particularly fatty fish like sardines, is a staple of the diet.
The report’s new approach this year is to rate diets on a five-star scale, similar to consumer rating systems. The Mediterranean diet shares top honors with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the flexitarian diet, which allows for occasional indulgence in meat or poultry.
The DASH diet, which emphasizes limiting salt intake to reduce blood pressure, won top ranking for heart health and blood pressure control. The flexitarian diet, which is a vegetarian approach with occasional meat or poultry, won top ranking for easiest diet to follow.
The report also includes new rankings for diets designed to help with chronic conditions such as menopause, arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, experts caution that while these diets may be beneficial, they should not be followed without consulting a healthcare professional.
For example, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, recommends a whole food, plant-based diet low in oil and high in soy for menopause symptoms, rather than relying on a paid diet program.
Similarly, Dr. Jesús Luévano Jr., an assistant professor of gastroenterology, advises that people with digestive issues should not use the U.S. News & World Report rankings to decide on their diet without first having a thorough discussion with their physician.
The Mediterranean diet received high ratings for its benefits in reducing inflammation and improving gut health, and was recommended for fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, and diverticulitis. The low FODMAP diet, which focuses on reducing fermentable foods and carbs, received high ratings for irritable bowel syndrome.
Overall, the Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on whole, plant-based foods and healthy fats makes it a well-rounded and sustainable approach to eating for overall health and well-being.