Researchers in Turkey studied 197 adults to understand how eating foods rich in natural plant compounds (called polyphenols) connects to making healthier, more environmentally-friendly food choices. They found that people who ate more plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—which are full of these beneficial compounds—were more likely to follow a Mediterranean diet and care about their environmental impact. Interestingly, caring about the planet’s health was the strongest driver of making sustainable food choices. The study suggests that combining knowledge about healthy foods with awareness of environmental issues might be the best way to help people eat better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How eating foods rich in natural plant compounds relates to following a Mediterranean diet, making sustainable food choices, and caring about environmental impact
  • Who participated: 197 adults living in Istanbul, Turkey, studied between January and May 2024. The group included people of various ages and backgrounds living in an urban area
  • Key finding: People who ate more polyphenol-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains) were more likely to follow a Mediterranean diet and make environmentally-friendly food choices. Caring about the planet’s environmental impact was the strongest predictor of sustainable eating habits
  • What it means for you: Eating more plant-based foods may help you make healthier choices overall. Additionally, learning about how food choices affect the environment might motivate you to eat better. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that one causes the other

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of people’s eating habits and attitudes at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. The 197 participants completed several questionnaires about their diet, their awareness of environmental issues, and their commitment to sustainable eating. Researchers also asked participants to record everything they ate in one day, which they used to calculate how many polyphenols (beneficial plant compounds) they consumed using a scientific database. The study took place in Istanbul over five months in 2024.

This research approach is useful because it shows real-world connections between what people eat, their environmental awareness, and their food choices. By studying actual people in their daily lives rather than in a lab, the results reflect how these factors work together in real communities. The combination of questionnaires and actual food records provides both what people think and what they actually do.

The study used established, validated questionnaires that have been tested in previous research, which strengthens the reliability of the findings. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than a long-term follow-up, we can’t be certain that eating polyphenol-rich foods causes better environmental awareness or vice versa—they may just happen together. The study was conducted in one city in Turkey, so results may not apply equally to all populations worldwide. The relatively small sample size (197 people) means findings should be confirmed with larger studies

What the Results Show

The researchers found that 87.8% of participants had low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, meaning most people weren’t following this healthy eating pattern very well. On average, participants consumed about 1,616 milligrams of polyphenols per day. There was a moderate positive relationship between polyphenol intake and following the Mediterranean diet—people who ate more polyphenol-rich foods were more likely to follow this healthy eating pattern. Importantly, ecological footprint awareness (understanding how food choices affect the environment) was the strongest predictor of sustainable and healthy eating behaviors. This means that people who cared about the planet’s health were most likely to make environmentally-friendly food choices.

The study found that polyphenol intake had a weaker connection to environmental awareness than expected, suggesting that simply eating healthy plant-based foods doesn’t automatically make people care about the environment. However, when people understood the environmental impact of their food choices, they were much more likely to eat sustainably. This suggests that education about environmental issues may be just as important as nutritional information when trying to help people eat better

Previous research has shown that the Mediterranean diet is healthy and that polyphenol-rich foods have many health benefits. This study adds new information by showing that environmental awareness may be a powerful motivator for people to adopt healthier eating patterns. It suggests that combining health messages with environmental messages might be more effective than focusing on health alone

The study only included people from Istanbul, so results may not apply to people in other regions or countries with different food cultures. Because it was a snapshot study, we can’t prove that one factor causes another—only that they’re connected. The study relied on people remembering what they ate in one day, which may not represent their typical eating patterns. Additionally, the study didn’t account for other factors that might influence food choices, such as income, education level, or access to healthy foods

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, consider eating more polyphenol-rich foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil. Additionally, learning about how food choices affect the environment may help motivate you to make healthier choices. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows connections but not definitive proof of cause and effect

Anyone interested in eating healthier and making more environmentally-friendly choices should pay attention to these findings. People who care about sustainability may find it particularly motivating to learn that their food choices affect the planet. However, these results are from a Turkish population, so they may apply differently to people in other countries with different food cultures and access to foods

Changes in eating habits typically take 2-4 weeks to become routine, though developing a strong commitment to sustainable eating may take several months. Environmental awareness can develop gradually as you learn more about food production and its impact

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily polyphenol-rich food servings (aim for at least 5 different colored fruits and vegetables daily) and rate your environmental awareness about food choices on a 1-10 scale weekly
  • Set a goal to add one new polyphenol-rich food to your meals each week, and spend 5 minutes weekly learning about the environmental impact of one food you eat regularly
  • Use the app to log polyphenol-rich foods consumed daily, track your sustainability goals monthly, and review how your environmental awareness correlates with your food choices over time

This research shows a connection between eating polyphenol-rich foods, environmental awareness, and sustainable eating habits, but does not prove that one causes the other. The study was conducted in Turkey and may not apply equally to all populations. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have health conditions or take medications, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice.