Study Reveals Psychological Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

Adopting a Mediterranean diet may offer additional mental health benefits; a recent study has linked this dietary pattern to improved mental health among individuals aged 50 and older.

According to Neuroscience News, citing the journal BMJ Open, the research findings are the result of a collaboration between University College London and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, a center supported by the La Caixa Foundation.

However, this new study goes further by focusing on positive mental health, which encompasses aspects such as control, autonomy, pleasure, and self-actualization. It includes questions related to autonomy, enjoyment of life, sense of purpose, energy levels, and future outlook.

Data collected through the ELSA cohort show that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictive measures had a negative emotional impact on study participants. Yet, the decline in mental health was less pronounced among individuals who were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet, suggesting a protective effect.

Camille Lassale, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and a lead author of the study, stated that evidence indicates that the key foods and ingredients of the Mediterranean diet contribute to regulating vital processes, such as stress responses, inflammation, gut health, and brain function.

Alanna Shand, a psychology researcher and co-author of the study, said, “This study provides further evidence of the relationship between diet and mental health, an emerging field of research that is hoped to yield new, significant insights in the coming years.”

Andrew Steptoe, a researcher at University College London and a co-author of the study, emphasized that there is undoubtedly “a need to promote healthy lifestyles, prioritizing a balanced diet rich in plant-based foods and low in items such as processed meats and sweets, particularly among older adults.”