The diseases most linked to diet

These are the conditions where diet appears in essentially every national and WHO guideline. Diet is one factor among genetics, activity, sleep and medication — but it is the one you handle several times a day.

Condition by condition

1. 01Coronary heart disease and high LDL cholesterol

   Saturated fat intake above 10% of energy raises LDL cholesterol at population level; sodium above 2 000 mg a day raises blood pressure.

   Instead: The two biggest sources for most people are cheese and fatty or cured meat.

2. 02Type 2 diabetes

   Associated with high free-sugar intake, high ultra-processed food share and low fibre — often the same meals.

   Instead: Fibre at breakfast changes the whole day's glucose curve more than any single swap later.

3. 03Obesity

   Energy-dense, low-fibre, ultra-processed eating patterns are associated with higher energy intake in both controlled feeding trials and cohorts.

   Instead: Volume from produce and protein, rather than restriction, is the pattern that holds.

4. 04Dental caries

   Free sugars are the single dietary cause. Frequency of exposure matters as much as total amount, which is why sipping is worse than a single serving.

   Instead: Contain sweet things to mealtimes instead of spreading them across the day.

5. 05Colorectal cancer

   Associated with processed meat and alcohol intake, and inversely associated with fibre and produce intake.

   Instead: Pulses hit both sides of that at once.

Nothing here predicts an individual outcome. These are the patterns guidelines are written about, which is exactly what Healthyish measures.

Healthyish provides nutrition information and educational context about eating patterns. It does not diagnose, treat, or predict any medical condition, and it does not give you a personal risk score. Estimates from photos are approximate. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about any health concern.