In June 2019, the peer-review journal Nutritional Neuroscience published a study by researchers in Canada and Iran that shows a connection between diet and mental health.
The researchers recruited nearly 3,200 adults between the ages of 18 and 55. They assessed their diet and mental health to see if there was a connection between the two. Specifically, they focused on adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
What they discovered was that participants who most closely followed a Mediterranean diet had 40% lower odds for depression, 39% lower odds for anxiety, and 40% lower odds for psychological distress.
So, what is the Mediterranean diet?
A 2003 study defined the traditional Mediterranean diet as follows:
- High intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and cereals
- High intake of olive oil
- Low intake of saturated fats
- Moderately high intake of fish (depending on sea proximity)
- Low-to-moderate intake of dairy products (mostly in the form of cheese or yogurt)
- Low intake of meat and poultry
- Regular but moderate intake of ethanol (primarily wine and generally during meals)
This is one more study in a growing body of research showing a connection between what we eat and our mental health. Here at Truehope, we’ve been promoting nutrition as mental health treatment for over 20 years. It’s why we made EMPowerplus Advanced, an all-natural and safe combination of 36 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids designed to support mental and physical well being.