Mediterranean Diet Could Be a Stress-Buster, Study Finds
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 16, 2024 -- The Mediterranean diet has already been shown to be great for a person’s physical health, but new research finds that following the Mediterranean diet also can lift your mood.
People on the diet tended to have lower levels of anxiety and stress, researchers reported recently in the journal Nutrients.
“It’s a big tick for the Mediterranean diet,” said researcher Evangeline Mantzioris, with the University of South Australia. “Through a relatively easy lifestyle change, people can markedly improve their stress and anxiety levels. Who wouldn’t want to give it a go?”
The Mediterranean diet involves plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes and olive oil, researchers said.
Fish and seafood should be eaten at least twice a week, and dairy and lean proteins eaten daily in smaller portions. The diet encourages minimal consumption of red meats and processed foods and cutting out sugary beverages.
For this study, researchers surveyed nearly 300 Australians aged 60 and older regarding their diet and their symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.
People who ate in ways that closely tracked a Mediterranean diet had lower levels of stress and anxiety, even after researchers accounted for other factors.
The researchers also found that specific elements of a Mediterranean diet -- fruit, nuts, legumes and low consumption of sugary beverages -- were associated with less stress and anxiety.
No association was found between the diet and depression, however.
“Globally, we’re facing an unprecedented aging population, yet despite this longevity, many people continue to struggle with their health and well-being,” Mantzioris said.
“Lifestyle behaviors, including diet quality, are gaining more attention as modifiable risk factors for poor mental health, with the Mediterranean diet endorsed for reducing chronic disease risk and supporting healthy aging,” Mantzioris said.
Sources
- University of South Australia, news release, May 14, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted May 2024
Read this next
How Handing a Child a Screen During a Tantrum Could Backfire Long-Term
TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 -- When your preschooler pitches a fit, handing them a smartphone or tablet is probably the fastest -- and the worst -- way to stop it, a new study...
Americans' Interest in Microdosing Psychedelics Is Growing
MONDAY, July 1, 2024 -- A study based on online Google searches suggests surging U.S. interest in microdosing psychedelics, such as psilocybin, as rules around the use of such...
Not 'Out of Your League': Folks Tend to Marry People as Attractive as They Are
MONDAY, July 1, 2024 -- People largely date and marry people in their own “league,” as far as beauty is concerned, a new review finds. Men and women are fairly...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.
