From Kitchen to Clinic: Integrating Food as a Vital Component of Healthcare

Abstract

The concept of food as medicine has garnered increasing attention as an integrative approach to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Rooted in ancient wisdom as exemplified by the traditional Korean adage “Food is Medicine” and texts such as Donguibogam and Huangdi Neijing, this paradigm is now being reenvisioned through modern nutritional science and data-driven healthcare solutions. This review synthesizes evidence on various dietary interventions, including Mediterranean, DASH, low-glycemic, and ketogenic diets, and their roles in mitigating chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. By examining advances in data management, including multilayer cleaning methods and IoT-based integration of wearable device data, we highlight how robust technological frameworks can enhance personalized nutrition strategies. Additionally, the review explores broader applications of nutrition-based interventions beyond clinical settings, addressing public health, aging, sports medicine, and maternal–child health. Despite promising outcomes such as reduced hospital readmissions and lower healthcare costs, the “Food is Medicine” initiative faces significant challenges related to cost, logistics, data interoperability, and policy support. Future directions call for interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized protocols, and long-term evaluations to fully realize the potential of integrating nutrition into healthcare systems.