The Relationship Between Orthorexic Tendencies and Hematological Inflammatory Indices

Objective: To investigate the relationship between orthorexia dimensions, specifically healthy orthorexia (HeOr) and orthorexia nervosa (OrNe), and hematological inflammatory markers.Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study included 218 healthy volunteers (73.9% male, median age: 25.0 years) who were evaluated between February 2026 and April 2026.Sociodemographic profiles and the Teruel Orthorexia Scale scores were obtained.Complete blood count parameters and inflammatory indices, including the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), were analyzed.Results: HeOr scores demonstrated significant negative correlations with white blood cell count (r = -0.163,P = 0.016), neutrophil count (r = -0.160,P = 0.019), monocyte count (r = -0.244,P < 0.001), platelet count (r = -0.168,P = 0.013), MLR (r = -0.134,P = 0.049), and SIRI (r = -0.185,P = 0.006).Conversely, OrNe scores exhibited a significant negative correlation only with monocyte count (r = -0.171,P = 0.012) and showed no significant associations with other hematological parameters or systemic inflammatory indices.Conclusion: Individuals with higher HeOr tendencies display a healthier systemic inflammatory profile, likely reflecting beneficial dietary choices.Despite being characterized by more rigid cognitions and behaviors toward healthy eating, OrNe tendencies do not manifest a healthier inflammatory profile.