The MD is optimal to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients during pregnancy. It provides all the energy and nutrients required to allow fetal growth and development, protecting from the development of obstetric pathologies including complications of childbirth, infections and alteration in fetal growth. The MD diet also can prevent some maternal complications such as diabetes, sleep quality and overweight or obesity.

Flavonoids are acknowledged for their beneficial effects on human health, including the mitigation of health risks from environmental pollutants. As here reviewed, the impairment of male fertility and gonadal development, as well as progression of cancers of reproductive systems of both sexes, due to the exposure of organic and inorganic pollutants, seemed to be counteracted by flavonoids in several pre-clinical and clinical studies.

The endocannabinoid system is a complex lipid signaling network that has evolved to be a key regulator of pro-homeostatic pathways for the organism. Its involvement in numerous processes has rendered it a very suitable target for pharmacological studies regarding metabolic syndrome, obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases. Cannabinomimetic molecules have been found in a large variety of foods, most of which are normally present in the Mediterranean diet.