Natural Functional Foods (NFFs) are unprocessed foods with proven health benefits beyond their nutritional value. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) and Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDILIFE) are well known for their beneficial effects on health. Psychological Resilience (PsyR) is not only an important factor in human well-being; it is also regarded as a key indicator of mental health. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between NFFs and the MD and MEDILIFE in Greece, as well as their association with PsyR and other health-related parameters. In a cross-sectional design, 338 healthy adults participated voluntarily in an online research survey. There was a statistically significant association between the consumption of NFFs grown and produced in the Mediterranean region and the MD and MEDILIFE (p < 0.001). When the MD and MEDILIFE associated NFFs scores were summed up to form a 10-item scale (NAFFAME), the NAFFAME had a statistically significant positive correlation with PsyR (p < 0.001) and sleep quality (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with body mass index (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the means of the NAFFAME score on different weight loss diet outcomes. Multinomial regression analysis identified the NAFFAME score as a prognostic factor in maintaining weight loss after a diet (OR: 1.119, 95% CI: 1.035, 1.208, p < 0.01 compared with no weight loss). This study identified NFFs as a part of the MD and MEDILIFE. NFFs linked to the MEDILIFE could help predict the outcome of a weight loss diet and appear to have a positive effect on PsyR, sleep quality, and maintaining a healthy weight. Thus, the consumption of NFFs grown and produced in the Mediterranean region could be a natural, healthy, and sustainable way of enhancing physical–mental health. Randomised controlled trials should be conducted to confirm the findings of this cross-sectional study.

Mindful eating is an increasingly popular dietary practice that may mediate the symptomatology of eating disorders. Orthorexia nervosa is a recently proposed eating disorder characterized by excessive concern for body image, healthy eating, and calorie control. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between mindful eating, Instagram engagement, and eating disorders, with a focus on orthorexia nervosa. This cross-sectional study involving 407 adults explored the interplay between mindful eating, psychological distress, and eating disorders, notably orthorexia nervosa and their association with Instagram use. The data extraction and analysis were conducted employing SPSS v28 and R-Statistics. Utilizing Mindful Eating Scale (MES-16), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS), Orthorexia Nervosa Questionnaire-Revised (ORTO-R), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) validated scales, alongside inquiries into Instagram usage, significant correlations emerged. MES-16 demonstrated a robust negative association with both EDE-QS (r = −0.501, p < 0.001) and ORTO-R (r = −0.519, p < 0.001), while EDE-QS and ORTO-R showed significant correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.001). Variations in ORTO-R mean scores were notably distinct across different mindful eating adherence categories (p < 0.001), emphasizing the negative relationship between mindful eating and orthorexia nervosa. Additionally, participants with extensive daily Instagram use displayed significantly higher ORTO-R scores compared to minimal users (p < 0.05). These findings suggest a negative link between mindful eating with eating disorders and orthorexia nervosa, highlighting mindful eating’s potential role in reducing orthorexia nervosa tendencies. Furthermore, Instagram use seems associated with psychological distress and elevated orthorexia nervosa levels.

Increasing evidence indicates that the cultivation of mindful eating, adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle, and the development of psychological resilience may contribute to the enhancement of overall health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between mindful eating and the Mediterranean lifestyle in relation to psychological resilience and the maintenance of a healthy weight. In the framework of a cross-sectional study, 288 individuals voluntarily took part in an online research survey conducted in Greece. Results showed that both mindful eating and the Mediterranean diet were significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with psychological resilience. Multiple regression models identified mindful eating and the Mediterranean diet as predictive factors of psychological resilience (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) intercorrelation between mindful eating, the Mediterranean diet, and psychological resilience. Following the application of multiple regression models, mindful eating and Mediterranean diet were identified as predictive factors of psychological resilience (p < 0.0001). Individuals with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) displayed stronger adherence to mindful eating and the Mediterranean lifestyle, in contrast to those classified in the overweight and obesity BMI groups. People with higher mindful eating scores had 14% better odds of maintaining their weight loss after a weight-reducing diet than those with a lower mindful eating score (OR: 1.142, 95% CI: 1.084, 1.204, p < 0.0001). In summary, the integration of mindful eating and the Mediterranean lifestyle may represent a feasible approach to bolstering psychological resilience, overall health, and well-being.

Herbal infusions (HI) are a popular type of beverage known for their potential health benefits due to the extraction of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a well-known dietary pattern with beneficial effects on health, and Psychological Resilience (PsyR) is a key indicator of mental health and human well-being. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between HI and the MD, as well as their association with PsyR. The study included 398 healthy adults from Greece who participated voluntarily in an online research survey. The results indicated that 45.9% of participants consumed HI more than twice per week. There was a statistically significant association between the weekly consumption of HI and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (14-MEDAS), which identified HI consumption as a prognostic factor of high adherence to the MD. Additionally, HI consumption was significantly associated with PsyR. St John’s wort, green tea, and Greek mountain tea were associated with higher levels of PsyR. Greek mountain tea was also associated with a healthful and sustainable lifestyle. These findings suggest that HI are an integral part of the Mediterranean Diet, and their consumption is associated with PsyR. Promoting the consumption of HI such as Greek mountain tea and other herbs could be an effective way to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and sustainable practices. Further randomized control trials are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a comprehensive measure that evaluates an individual’s well-being across physical, mental, and social dimensions. Enhancing HRQoL, particularly in individuals with chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), necessitates a holistic approach. Mindfulness, a scientifically supported strategy for managing anxiety, has shown promise in improving both physical and mental health. Its benefits may be partly explained through its effects on the gut–brain axis (GBA), a bidirectional communication link between the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system. By exploring the interplay between mindfulness and the GBA, this study aims to uncover how these elements collectively influence HRQoL in both healthy individuals and those with IBD, offering insights into potential therapeutic pathways. A cross-sectional investigation involved 338 adults, including 50 IBD patients, utilizing validated Greek scales for Mindfulness (MAAS-15), Mediterranean Diet (14-MEDAS), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L). The questionnaire gathered demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle data. Among healthy participants, EQ-5D-5L showed a moderate correlation with the MAAS-15 scale (r = 0.389, p < 0.05) and a low correlation with 14-MEDAS (r = 0.131, p < 0.05). IBD patients exhibited significantly lower mean EQ-5D-5L scores than healthy individuals (0.75 vs. 0.85, p < 0.05). MAAS-15 demonstrated a robust correlation (r = 0.414, p < 0.001) with EQ-5D-5L in IBD patients. Elevated mindfulness levels emerged as predictive factors for higher HRQoL in IBD patients (OR: 1.101, 95% CI: 1.008, 1.202, p < 0.05, compared to low mindfulness). In summary, factors influencing the GBA, including mindfulness and the Mediterranean diet, exhibit positive associations with HRQoL. Increased mindfulness levels predict better HRQoL in IBD patients, emphasizing the potential for clinical trials to validate these cross-sectional study findings.

In the context of the contemporary accelerated pace of life, emphasizing the importance of sleep quality is essential for enhancing overall well-being and health. Historically underestimated, recent studies highlight sleep’s vital importance for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation is connected to numerous health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and weakened immune response. Additionally, lack of sleep can worsen stress, depression, and anxiety, impairing daily life and overall quality of life. This study investigates the link between poor sleep quality and key factors affecting wellness, such as mental health and eating disorders. Through a cross-sectional analysis involving 407 participants, utilizing established measures including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS), and the single-item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), data were collected and analyzed using SPSS v28 and R-Statistics. The findings reveal a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between DASS-21, EDE-QS, and SQS, indicating that individuals experiencing poor sleep quality exhibit higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression analysis highlights low sleep quality as a risk factor for both mental health (OR: 1.071, 95% CI: 1.042, 1.102, p < 0.05, low vs. high sleep quality) and eating disorders (OR: 1.047, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.092, p < 0.05, low vs. high sleep quality). Overall, these results underscore the critical role of sleep quality in mental health and suggest that insomnia is a predictive factor for both poor mental well-being and disordered eating habits. The main contribution of this study is its identification of poor sleep quality as a common risk factor linking mental health issues and eating disorders, which emphasizes the need for integrated treatment strategies focusing on sleep improvement. Further research through randomized controlled trials is warranted to validate the findings of this cross-sectional study.