Popular Dietary Patterns and Human Health: Mediterranean, DASH, Vegan, Nordic, Planetary, Ornish, Ketogenic, Atkins, Paleo, Gluten-free, Low-FODMAP, Intermittent fasting, Macrobiotic, Alkaline and Other Contemporary Diets

Dietary patterns have become an important focus of nutrition research because health outcomes are influenced not only by individual nutrients but also by the overall combination, quality, and quantity of foods consumed. Alongside well-established dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, numerous plant-based, carbohydrate-restricted, fasting-based, therapeutic, elimination, and commercially promoted diets have gained popularity. These dietary approaches differ considerably in their composition, intended purpose, scientific evidence, nutritional adequacy, feasibility, and potential health effects. This narrative review provides a concise overview of commonly followed dietary patterns, including Mediterranean, DASH, vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, whole-food plant-based, Nordic, MIND, Portfolio, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, Atkins, Paleolithic, high-protein, low-glycaemic-index, intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, gluten-free, low-FODMAP, macrobiotic, raw-food, carnivore, alkaline, blood-type, detox and selected commercial diets. Evidence regarding cardiovascular health, obesity, diabetes, metabolic outcomes, gastrointestinal disorders and other relevant health effects is summarized, together with important nutritional and practical limitations. Overall, dietary patterns emphasizing minimally processed foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and appropriate sources of protein and unsaturated fat have the most consistent evidence for long-term health. Highly restrictive dietary patterns may have selected therapeutic applications but generally require greater attention to nutritional adequacy, sustainability and clinical supervision.