The Mediterranean Diet has been proposed as an effective approach for prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. This healthy dietary pattern is recommended by the American Heart Association and the European Heart Association, and has been included in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Beside a high consumption of plant foods, whole-grain cereals and breads, nuts and seeds, and extra-virgin olive oil as a main source of fat, the Mediterranean diet is characterized by light-to-moderate intake of red wine regularly during main meals.

Recent studies have questioned the existence of the J curve that describe a reduction in risk at low-to moderate alcohol dose, while increasing risk at higher doses, suggesting that a safe dose of alcohol does not exist. However, few studies have distinguished between alcoholic beverages, or considered wine consumption in the context of a Mediterranean diet. While alcohol is a carcinogenic substance, wine has a rich and original composition in terms of known polyphenols and antioxidants. Its consumption in the context of the Mediterranean diet represents a long-lasting cultural tradition combining a healthy dietary pattern with other healthy life styles.

The aim of this special issue is to explore protective or harmful effects of wine consumption and possible interactions with other components of the Mediterranean diet or other healthy diets. We invite Original Articles and Reviews. Key topics of interest include:

• Total and cause-specific mortality
• Cardiovascular disease: ischemic heart disease, ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure
• Any type of cancer
• Neurodegenerative disease: Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer disease and dementia
• Metabolic disease: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome
• Liver, pulmonary and kidney disease
• Mental health, quality of life and wellbeing
• Age, biological age, sex and social differences
• Interactions with dietary components and other lifestyles

The Call is open until February 12, 2026.

Further information
IJPH publishes Gold Open Access. Article processing charges (APCs) apply. The IJPH’s GLOBEQUITY program
offers a limited number of APC waivers for first authors from low- and middle-income countries.
IJPH double-blind peer-review and author guidelines apply. Submitted manuscripts must fully comply with IJPH rules for article type, length and format (please consult the information for authors on the IJPH website).

You may submit an abstract in the first instance. In case of acceptance after peer review, articles will be published in the online special issue approximately 3 weeks after acceptance.

Keywords: diets, dietary health, Mediterranean diet, metabolic health, lifestyle

Contact:
IJPH Editorial Office: ijph@swisstph.ch

Authors

International Journal of Public Health