In observational studies, blood pressure (BP) variability has been independently associated with adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and sodium reduction lower BP and cardiovascular risk, but their effects on BP variability (BPV) are uncertain. This study assessed the effects of dietary patterns (DASH vs. Control) and sodium intake (higher vs. lower) on BPV, using both office and 24-h ambulatory BP measurements in the DASH and DASH-Sodium trials. In primary analyses, week-to-week office BPV and 24-h ambulatory BPV were quantified using variation independent of the mean (VIM). Between-group comparisons were performed using t-tests; interactive effects between dietary patterns and sodium intake were assessed using multivariate linear regression models. In pooled analyses of both trials, there was no difference in week-to-week systolic BPV (difference in systolic VIM: 0.49, 95% CI -0.05-1.03) or 24-h systolic BPV (difference in systolic VIM: 0.37, 95% CI -0.13-0.87) between the DASH and Control diet groups. In the DASH-Sodium trial, VIM at higher and lower sodium levels did not differ (e.g. difference in VIM for week-to-week systolic BP: 0.31, 95% CI -0.10-0.72). No significant combined or interactive effects of diet and sodium level on BPV were observed. While the DASH diet and reduced sodium intake lower absolute BP levels, these dietary interventions do not significantly affect BPV. These findings suggest that the BP-related benefits of the DASH diet and sodium reduction likely result from reducing absolute BP rather than reducing BPV.

Adolescence and early adulthood are marked by major life transitions, including leaving the parental home, which may influence dietary behaviours and related health risks. This study examined diet quality trajectories from adolescence into early adulthood and the influence of leaving home. Data were drawn from 1135 participants aged 14 to 27 years in the Raine Study (Australia), who completed food frequency questionnaires at five follow-ups. Diet quality was assessed using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score and proportion of energy from discretionary foods and beverages. Multilevel regression models examined diet quality trajectories, investigating interactions with leaving the parental home and subsequent living arrangements (partner, friends or alone). Diet quality was generally poor and followed a quadratic trajectory. Leaving the parental home was associated with a decline in diet quality, reflected in a lower DASH diet score: β = -1.11 [95% CI: 1.80, -0.41]; and increased discretionary food intake: β = 1.28 [95% CI: 0.30, 2.26]. The decline persisted over time for DASH diet score and diminished for discretionary food intake. Moving in with a partner was associated with the greatest decrease in DASH diet score: β = -1.18 [95% CI: 2.08, -0.28]. Leaving home, particularly to live with a partner, is associated with a small decrease in diet quality in a population with already sub-optimal diets. Public health strategies targeting life transitions may help support healthier dietary behaviours in adolescents and young adults in Australia and other high-income countries.

The integrity of the vascular endothelium is fundamental to regulating cardio-metabolic and neurological functions. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a key driver of atherosclerosis and is strongly linked to the pathogenesis of heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. This review describes the relationship between dietary patterns and endothelial health, focusing on observational and experimental studies that investigate the protective effects of healthy dietary patterns in the maintenance of endothelial integrity and prevention of ED. Plant-based diets, including Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary patterns, have been linked to improvement of endothelial function through multiple mechanisms such as increased nitric oxide bioavailability, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and fostering a healthy gut microbiome. Traditional Japanese, Nordic, and Palaeolithic dietary patterns also show potential cardiovascular benefits through improved vascular biomarkers and significant anti-inflammatory effects, though evidence on effects on endothelial function remains less established. The consequences of poor endothelial health extend to all systems, and the brain is one of the organs crucially affected by ED. ED has been increasingly recognised as a critical contributor to cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke, largely accounted and explained by mechanisms impairing cerebral blood flow, neuronal metabolism, neuro-vascular coupling and compromised integrity of the blood-brain barrier. This review highlights the importance of maintaining endothelial health as a protective strategy for cognitive function and reduction of dementia risk. Adherence to dietary patterns with protective effects on endothelial integrity may represent an effective strategy to promote lifelong health for both the heart and brain.

Objectives: The objectives of this review are to explore the effects of various nutrition and exercise lifestyle interventions on pregnancy outcomes in individuals with, or at risk of, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as to examine whether interventions that are culturally and/or religiously sensitive influence clinical and behavioural outcomes. Methods: This study was conducted as a narrative review. PRISMA was used solely as a reporting guide to enhance transparency in the search and study selection process. PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for studies published up to November 2025. Intervention-based studies evaluating nutrition, physical activity, or combined lifestyle interventions targeting either GDM incidence, insulin use, or glycemic outcomes were included. Forty-three studies met eligibility criteria. Study designs consisted primarily of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with one case–control and one quasi-experimental design trial. Results: Combined lifestyle interventions generally showed the most consistent improvements in glycemic control; however, findings were not uniform across all studies, and reporting on insulin outcomes was limited. The Mediterranean, low-glycemic index (LGI) and DASH diets, along with supervised, prenatal exercise programs with low–moderate intensity, delivered at least three times per week, were effective in managing GDM. Regarding culturally or religiously sensitive interventions, only one study was identified. Conclusions: Lifestyle interventions may improve glycemic outcomes in GDM; however, further high-quality research is needed, particularly studies incorporating culturally and religiously sensitive approaches and improved reporting of insulin-related outcomes.

Background Inflammation has been proposed as a biological pathway linking diet to mental health. Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean and DASH diets, may reduce systemic inflammation and thereby influence mental health outcomes. However, evidence across study designs has not been comprehensively synthesized. Objective This scoping review aimed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic evidence syntheses to summarize the effects of anti-inflammatory dietary interventions or patterns on mental health outcomes in adults. Methods Searches were conducted in scientific databases through February 2025. Eligible RCTs included adult participants receiving an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention with reported mental health outcomes. Eligible systematic evidence syntheses included systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, scoping reviews, and umbrella reviews examining associations between anti-inflammatory diets and mental health. Article screening and review were conducted in duplicate, and data extraction followed standardized procedures appropriate for each study type. Results A total of 21,923 records were identified, of which 42 RCTs and 23 systematic evidence syntheses met the inclusion criteria. Of the 42 RCTs, 28 reported significantly greater improvements in at least one mental health outcome compared with controls following an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention. Most trials evaluated Mediterranean diet-based interventions. Across RCTs, improvements were most consistently observed for depressive symptoms, while findings for anxiety, mood, stress, and quality of life were mixed. Across the 23 systematic evidence syntheses, findings for depression outcomes were generally positive, with multiple reviews reporting inverse associations between adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns and depression risk or symptom severity. Evidence for anxiety outcomes across reviews was more heterogeneous and less consistent. Conclusion Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet, are associated with improvements in depressive symptoms across randomized controlled trials and systematic evidence syntheses, with less consistent findings for anxiety and other mental health outcomes. Benefits were most consistently observed among individuals with existing mental health symptoms. Interpretation is limited by heterogeneity in dietary interventions, multimodal study designs, populations, and outcome measures. Future research using standardized dietary protocols, longer follow-up periods, and biomarker assessment is needed to strengthen causal inference and clarify underlying mechanisms.

Introduction: Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has been recommended as an effective lifestyle intervention, but the magnitude of its effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in hypertensive patients varies across studies. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between the DASH diet and SBP reduction in hypertensive adults, identify effect modifiers, and provide context-specific clinical recommendations. Methods: A systematic review was conducted including randomized controlled trials, etc that examined the DASH diet in adults with hypertension (SBP ≥140 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication). Studies were screened based on predefined criteria including intervention duration ≥2 weeks and isolation of the DASH diet from major co-interventions. Data were extracted on study characteristics, DASH implementation, SBP outcomes, and effect modifiers. Results: Eighty studies were included, encompassing over 45,000 participants. The DASH diet consistently reduced SBP, with effects ranging from 3-16 mmHg depending on context. Controlled feeding trials demonstrated larger reductions (8-16 mmHg) compared to free-living implementations (3-6 mmHg). Baseline BP severity modified effects: patients with SBP ≥150 mmHg achieved up to -20.8 mmHg reduction with combined low-sodium DASH. The DASH diet enhanced the BP-lowering effects of RAS inhibitors, with reductions up to -9.5 mmHg in medicated patients. Sodium restriction produced additive effects, with the DASH-sodium combination achieving 84% BP control. Mechanistic studies revealed early natriuretic effects and later improvements in nitric oxide bioavailability. Discussion: The heterogeneity in SBP reduction reflects differences in study design, adherence levels, and patient characteristics rather than inconsistency in the diet's efficacy. Controlled feeding studies establish physiological maximum effects, while real-world implementations reflect practical effectiveness. The diet demonstrates particular efficacy in isolated systolic hypertension, older adults, and patients on RAS inhibitors. Conclusion: The DASH diet is a highly effective intervention for reducing SBP in hypertensive patients, with effects comparable to single-drug therapy in some populations. Implementation strategies should prioritize adherence support and cultural adaptation to maximize real-world effectiveness.

Nutritional health is the foundation of effective diabetes management. Historically and continuing into current practice, dietary interventions have focused on reducing overall carbohydrate intake to achieve glycemic targets. While this approach can support glycemic control, it may inadvertently lead to reduced energy intake and an increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Evidence-based dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean approaches have demonstrated positive effects on perinatal outcomes and offer safe, balanced frameworks that promote adequate macronutrient and micronutrient intake.

Association between DASH diet adherence and mortality in non-diabetic adults with and without chronic kidney disease.

Background/Objectives: Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience chronic inflammation, elevated cardiovascular risk, and substantial symptom burden. Dietary patterns with anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects may represent a modifiable strategy to address these overlapping risks, yet dietary intervention has not been systematically studied in MPN. We evaluated the feasibility, engagement, and preliminary clinical signals of a fully remote dietary counseling intervention in adults with MPN. Methods: In this single-center, randomized, open-label pilot study, 28 adults with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or primary myelofibrosis were randomized 1:1 to Mediterranean (MED) or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary counseling over 10 weeks. The protocol included a 2-week baseline run-in period, 10-week active intervention with four telehealth dietitian visits, and 4-week postintervention follow-up. Prespecified feasibility endpoints were the completion of dietitian visits, daily MPN Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS) surveys, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) questionnaires, and Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall (ASA24) assessments. Exploratory endpoints included the change in Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) and symptom burden. Results: Twenty-seven participants provided data and were analyzed (14 MED, 13 DASH). Dietitian visit attendance was 96% (MED) and 85% (DASH). Daily symptom survey completion averaged 93% (MED) and 58% (DASH). MEDAS completion was 81% (MED) and 51% (DASH); ASA24 completion was 55% (MED) and 38% (DASH). HEI-2015 increased from 55 to 63 in MED during active intervention. At week 12, 23% of MED and 13% of DASH participants achieved ≥50% TSS reduction. Symptom reductions were observed across multiple domains. Conclusions: A fully remote dietary intervention is feasible in adults with MPN, with strong engagement in the Mediterranean arm. These findings support adequately powered trials incorporating biomarker endpoints to evaluate dietary modification as a strategy for inflammation-driven symptoms and cardiovascular risk in MPN.

Diet quality and all-cause mortality among individuals with chronic kidney disease: a UK Biobank cohort study.

The objective of this study was to examine how mobile learning affected individuals with hypertension's adherence to the DASH diet, healthy lifestyle behaviors, body mass index, quality of life, mindfulness, and stress levels. A total of 134 individuals with hypertension participated in this randomized controlled study (68 in the experimental group and 66 in the control group). "Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) II," "EQ-5D Questionnaire," "Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)," and "Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)" were employed to gather information. Participants in the experimental group received comprehensive education through a mobile application developed for hypertension management. This education, which included videos, audio recordings, and meditation content, was provided over a 3-month period. It was found that after mobile learning, the healthy lifestyle behaviors of individuals with hypertension improved, their quality of life and mindfulness levels increased, and their stress levels and body mass index decreased ( P < .05). This study found that the use of mobile application-based education to improve the lifestyle changes of patients is an effective tool in hypertension management. We recommended that mobile health applications used in the management of hypertension should be widely used by nurses in training and counselling processes, and future research should be conducted to observe the long-term effects of this technology.

The optimal dietary pattern of brain age and related diseases remains unclear, and the relationship between dietary metabolomic signature and these conditions is still poorly understood. This cohort study included 13,691 participants from the UK Biobank (53.67% female, mean age 54.9 ± 7.5 years), we investigated the relationship between five healthy dietary patterns and brain age gap (BAG). Metabolomic signatures were constructed using a LASSO model, and multivariable linear regression was applied to examine the relationship between metabolomic signatures and brain age. Higher AHEI-2010 and DASH scores were associated with reduced BAG. Specifically, higher DASH scores reduced BAG in obese populations. Metabolomic signatures accounted for 30.43% and 35.47% of the associations between dietary patterns and BAG, respectively, and were themselves significantly correlated with BAG. AHEI-2010/DASH diets and plasma metabolites are associated with brain aging, offering a metabolomic basis for personalized dietary interventions.

Nutrition and endometriosis: Evidence, limits and clinical perspectives.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and cardiovascular diseases. It arises from impaired insulin signaling in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, driven by ectopic lipid accumulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This narrative review synthesizes IR mechanisms and the evidence on specific dietary patterns. A structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase (up to January 2026) prioritized RCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines. IR assessment relies on the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp as gold standard, with HOMA-IR and QUICKI as validated clinical surrogates. The Mediterranean diet is the most evidence-supported strategy, with consistent HOMA-IR reductions, a 31% decrease in T2DM incidence (PREDIMED-Plus), and demonstrated efficacy across T2DM, MASLD, and PCOS. Low-GI and DASH diets improve postprandial insulin dynamics and are particularly effective in PCOS. Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets produce the largest short-term reductions in fasting glucose and insulin secretion, though long-term sustainability requires further study. Plant-based diets and intermittent fasting improve IR primarily via weight loss and gut microbiota modulation. Most studies rely on surrogate IR indices and are short-term (≤26 weeks). Dietary pattern selection should be individualized according to metabolic phenotype, comorbidities, and adherence potential. Larger, longer, head-to-head trials measuring hard clinical outcomes are needed.

Although a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in Black adults, this intervention has not been tested in individuals who were being actively treated for hypertension. In this study, we conducted a randomized clinical trial (GoFreshRx) to test whether local groceries ordered with the assistance of a dietitian to align with the DASH diet might lower BP among Black adult residents of Boston communities with few grocery stores who were being actively treated for hypertension. Individuals whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 120 mmHg to <150 mmHg despite active hypertension treatment were randomized either to 12 weeks of weekly home-delivered DASH groceries with dietitian counseling or to receiving three US$500 stipends every 4 weeks. The primary outcome was research clinic-measured SBP measured at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels. Maintenance of health effects was assessed at 3 months after the intervention. Of 176 participants (mean age 60.1 (s.d., 11.5) years; 80.7% female), 173 were available for SBP measurement at 3 months. Mean (s.d.) baseline SBP/DBP was 130.5 (7.0)/77.8 (8.9) mmHg. At 3 months, SBP changed by -7.0 mmHg in the DASH groceries group and by -2.0 mmHg in the self-directed group (intergroup difference: -5.0 mmHg; 95% confidence interval: -8.0 to -1.9; P = 0.002). Moreover, compared to the self-directed group, 3 months of DASH groceries changed DBP by -1.8 mmHg (-3.6 to -0.1) and LDL-c by -7.0 mg dl-1 (-13.6 to -0.5). In prespecified analyses, the beneficial effects of DASH grocery delivery on SBP and DBP were partially maintained 3 months after the intervention had concluded. Nutrient-targeted grocery ordering appears to be a useful strategy to improve longer-term cardiometabolic health. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05393232 .

Hypertension impacts over one-third of the global population of adults and is a significant contributor to premature mortality, despite substantial progress in pharmaceutical interventions. Increasing evidence supports dietary strategies for the prevention and supplementary management of hypertension. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases for studies published between 1995 and 2025, using the keywords: "Hypertension," "DASH Diet," "Paleolithic Diet," "Ketogenic Diet," "Low-Carbohydrate Diet," "Blood Pressure," and "Cardiovascular Risk." Two investigators independently screened all titles and abstracts to determine eligibility for inclusion in the systematic analysis. This review examined 13 studies involving approximately 87,597 individuals to evaluate the effects of four dietary strategies, DASH, Paleolithic, low-carbohydrate, and ketogenic diets, on hypertension. The DASH diet demonstrated persistent decreases in systolic blood pressure, particularly among adults. Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets enhanced both blood pressure and weight in overweight persons. The Paleolithic diet, supported by the most extensive sample, demonstrated significant advantages for blood pressure and metabolic health. All diets showed potential, with the Palaeolithic and DASH diets emerging as the most effective approaches for hypertension management. Non-pharmacological dietary interventions are increasingly recognized as high-impact and sustainable strategies for the management of hypertension. This review emphasizes that dietrelated strategies, most importantly the DASH and Paleolithic diets, are providing clinically significant reductions in blood pressure and cardiometabolic risk. Short-term outcomes are encouraging, but long-term safety and compliance are important concerns, especially for the ketogenic and lowcarb diets. Variation in study quality, sample size, and measures of adherence complicates direct comparisons. Personalization and integration with lifestyle are central to outcomes. Dietary interventions showed the highest potential for blood pressure prevention and control. The DASH and Paleolithic diets offer the strongest evidence to support their usage among all the therapies studied. However, further high-quality, long-term clinical studies would be needed to support these results and give evidence-based diet recommendations. Future efforts should focus on nutritional adequacy and sustained adherence to optimize outcomes in the hypertensive population.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading global cause of mortality, with metabolic abnormalities such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity significantly driving its progression. Recent studies have focused on the integration of metabolic risk management with cardiovascular care to improve outcomes. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the latest evidence (2024-2025) on the management of metabolic risk factors in CAD, highlighting emerging biomarkers, therapeutic strategies, and research gaps. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Twenty-one studies meeting predefined eligibility criteria were included. Data were extracted and thematically analyzed according to the PRISMA-ScR framework. Included studies emphasized the synergistic impact of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension on CAD outcomes. Pharmacologic interventions such as SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, pemafibrate, and Rho-kinase inhibitors showed consistent improvements in metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Lifestyle interventions, including Mediterranean and DASH diets, and telemedicine-based programs, demonstrated adjunctive benefits, though long-term adherence remained challenging. Emerging biomarkers like lipoprotein(a) and microRNAs, along with imaging modalities such as SPECT and PET/CT, enhanced precision risk stratification. Recent evidence underscores the importance of integrating metabolic management into CAD prevention and therapy. A shift toward precision cardiometabolic care-combining biomarker-driven diagnostics, sustained lifestyle modification, and individualized pharmacotherapy is essential. Future multicentric trials and digital health innovations should address persistent evidence and practice gaps, especially within high-risk Asian and Indian populations.

Diet likely plays a crucial role in the aetiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a growing global health problem. We prospectively examined sex-specific associations between different dietary patterns and CKD. Among 27,126 adults (66.5% females) followed from 1997 to 2016, baseline dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We estimated the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) scores, and derived three dietary patterns via reduced rank regression using protein, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium as mediators: DP1 (high levels of all nutrients), DP2 (high potassium and phosphorus, low sodium), and DP3 (low potassium and sodium, high phosphorus). Sex-stratified multivariable Cox models were used to evaluate linear, non-linear, and categorical associations with CKD incidence, with categorical exposure defined by tertiles of adherence (low, medium, high). During a 17.9-year mean follow-up, we identified 687 incident cases of CKD. In males, DP1 showed a U-shaped association with CKD risk (HRlow/medium = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.06, 1.89, HRhigh/medium = 1.39; 95%CI:1.05, 1.85). DP3 was associated with higher CKD risk in females (HRlinear = 1.12; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.25). The NNR was associated with lower CKD risk in both females (HRlinear = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81–1.00; HRmedium/low = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.99) and males (HRlinear = 0.86; 95%CI: 0.77, 0.97), while the DASH was associated with lower CKD risk in females only (HRlinear = 0.86; 95%CI: 0.78, 0.96, HRhigh/low = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.54, 0.91). Higher adherence to the NNR reduced CKD risk in both sexes, whereas sex-specific associations were observed between the DASH diet, CKD-oriented dietary patterns, and CKD risk.

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in maintaining human health and modulating disease risk across the life course. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary evidence on the clinical significance of macronutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, establishing nutritional balance as a central determinant of human health, disease susceptibility, and therapeutic efficacy. These nutrient categories function within an integrated metabolic network in which macronutrients provide energy and structural substrates, while micronutrients serve as essential cofactors and regulatory agents in enzymatic, hormonal, and cellular signalling processes. The synthesis demonstrates that nutritional imbalance, arising from either deficiency, such as iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin D insufficiency, or excess, including high intakes of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, constitutes a major contributor to global disease burden, particularlythe phenomenon described as the double burden of malnutrition. In response to these challenges, the review highlights the role of evidence-based nutritional therapy, encompassing established dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, as well as the clinical implementation of medical nutrition therapy in chronic disease management. It further emphasizes a paradigmatic shift from population-level dietary recommendations toward precision nutrition, an emerging framework that integrates nutrigenomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiome profiling to inform personalized dietary interventions. By conceptualizing nutrition as a dynamic and interactive system, this review offers a comprehensive perspective that integrates biochemical mechanisms with individualized clinical care, positioning nutritional balance as a foundational component of contemporary preventive and therapeutic medicine.

The global aging trend highlights the need for effective strategies to prevent cognitive impairment and depression. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of DASH diet quality in the association between sustainable dietary behaviors, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Firat University Hospital, involving 773 older adults. Data collection included structured questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, DASH diet adherence (DASH Diet Quality Scale), sustainable nutritional behavior (Sustainable Consumption Behavior-Nutrition Scale, SCBN), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15, GDS-15), and cognitive performance (Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination, SMMSE). Anthropometric measurements were also obtained. Statistical methods involved hierarchical regression analyses, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine direct and indirect relationships among study variables. Correlation analyses indicated negative associations between depression and both DASH diet (r= -0.378, p < 0.001) and sustainable nutritional behaviors (SCBN; r= -0.277, p < 0.001). Cognitive function positively correlated with DASH (r = 0.277, p < 0.001) and SCBN scores (r = 0.295, p < 0.001). Hierarchical regression revealed that better adherence to DASH diet (β=-0.13, p < 0.001) and higher SCBN scores (β=-0.12, p < 0.001) predicted lower depression scores, whereas SCBN positively predicted cognitive function (β = 0.03, p < 0.001). Structural equation modeling confirmed that the DASH diet partly explained the association between sustainable nutrition and both depression (indirect β=-0.02, p < 0.001) and cognitive function (indirect β = 0.01, p < 0.001). The study highlighted the beneficial role of DASH diet adherence and sustainable nutritional practices in mitigating depressive symptoms and supporting cognitive function in older adults. These dietary patterns could represent crucial components of preventive strategies for healthy aging. Further longitudinal research using objective dietary assessments is needed to clarify causal relationships.