Sexual dimorphism in the context of nutrition and health

Proc Nutr Soc. 2024 May;83(2):109-119. doi: 10.1017/S0029665123003610. Epub 2023 Sep 4.

Abstract

Diets and dietary constituents that we consume have a considerable impact on disease risk. Intriguingly these effects may be modulated to some extent by sex. Lack of female representation in nutritional studies as well as a lack of stratification by sex has and continues to limit our understanding of these sex × diet interactions. Here we provide an overview of the current and available literature describing how exposure to certain dietary patterns (Western-style diet, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian/vegan, ketogenic diet) and dietary constituents (dietary fibre, PUFA and plant bioactive) influences disease risk in a sex-specific manner. Interestingly, these sex differences appear to be highly disease-specific. The identification of such sex differences in response to diet stresses the importance of sex stratification in nutritional research.

Keywords: Cardiometabolic disease; Mediterranean diet; Sex difference; Western diet.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diet
  • Diet, Ketogenic
  • Diet, Mediterranean
  • Diet, Vegetarian
  • Diet, Western / adverse effects
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutritional Status
  • Sex Characteristics*

Substances

  • Dietary Fiber