According to a new study conducted by the Spanish researchers, following the Mediterranean Diet can reduce the risk of having depression.
The Mediterranean Diet has already been proven to improve a person's cardiovascular health, and according to the latest research it also possesses the ability to prevent certain mental illness. The health benefits can be fully achieved if the diet is pursued in moderation.
Scientists from Spain conducted the study by examining 15,000 students who participated in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project. The said project is a huge unit study which started in 1999 and was aimed to link the development of diabetes, depression and other sickness thru the comparison of dietary factors.
The subjects were then tasked to complete series of questionnaires during the beginning of the study, and also after every two years within the ten-year study span. Major questions were asked, including the kind of food they normally eat on a regular daily basis.
During the period of the study, the subjects followed one of the three types of diets, namely the Mediterranean Diet, Pro-vegetarian Dietary Pattern and Alternative Health Eating Index-2010.
Every type of diet corresponds to different physical health benefits. Each type also contains food items that are high in nutrients like legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables and also those that have non-essential elements like trans-fatty acid and saturated fats.
Each of them were given the freedom to choose to what to eat and the participants were scored according to what kinds of food they are eating.
The results showed that those people who follow the Mediterranean Diet "moderately" have a 25-30% chance of getting away with depression. On the other hand, those who did not follow the said diet were reported to have depression, which some of them already started to take anti-depressant medicines.
Researchers stated that foods can affect a person's mood positively because of the amount of some essential nutrients like B vitamins and also some minerals like folate and zinc.
Mediterranean Diet is characterized by high intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish and the avoidance of processed food.
