Mediterranean diet may reduce depression risk

Sticking to a Mediterranean diet not only reduces the risk of major chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s, but may also reduce the risk of depression.

According to a four-year Spanish study involving more than 10,000 people, the participants that followed the traditional Mediterranean diet were more than 30% less likely to develop depression.

The Mediterranean diet involves a high intake of olive oil, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and starchy foods such as red potatoes and pasta. Dairy products, fish, poultry and wine are consumed in low to moderate amounts, while red meat is rarely eaten.

Researchers, from the University of Navarra in Spain, believe that the Mediterranean diet may reduce inflammatory, vascular, and metabolic processes that are involved in the risk of clinical depression.

“The specific mechanisms by which a Mediterranean diet pattern could help to prevent the occurrence of depression are not well known,” the researchers said,

“However, it is plausible that the combination of omega-three fatty acids together with other natural unsaturated fatty acids from olive oil and nuts, and the large amounts of natural folates and other B vitamins could provide protection against depression.”

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

[Posted: Wed 07/10/2009]