Healthy Eating Can Cut Medical Costs by 9% — Especially for Young Adults
Healthy Diet Linked to Lower Medical Expenses — Korean Study Reveals A new study from Seoul National University Hospital shows that a healthy diet can significantly reduce annual healthcare costs, especially among younger adults. The research team, led by Professor Park Min-Sun, analyzed data from 1,144 Korean adults collected between 2016 and 2021 as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They examined participants' dietary habits and annual medical spending. To measure diet quality, researchers used the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) — a score based on 14 dietary components, with higher scores reflecting healthier eating patterns. The index rewards: High intake of fruits and vegetables Choosing white meat and fish over red meat Preferring brown rice and whole grains over white rice On the other hand, frequent consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-sodium products lowers the score. Key Findings: Participants with the highest dietary score...
