Evaluated This diet provides protection against depression - other forms trigger it

Mediterranean diet can help with depression

A Mediterranean diet or a Mediterranean diet can help to prevent or even prevent depression. In contrast, a diet rich in saturated fat, sugar, and processed foods is more likely to be associated with depression. These are the findings of an international research team led by University College London (UCL).

Those who eat a lot of fast food and sweets are more likely to develop depression. By contrast, eating fruit, vegetables, nuts, plant foods and fish, as is the case with the Mediterranean diet, can help prevent depression or help with psychological distress. To these results researchers come to Dr. med. Camille Lassale. The study was recently published in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry".

A new study showed that people who eat Mediterranean are much less at risk of depression. The researchers therefore propose to integrate nutritional counseling into the treatment of depression. (Image: kab-vision / fotolia.com)

Fast food promotes depression

As the researchers report, a high-fat and high-sugar diet, which is characterized by many fast food and ready meals, is associated with an increased likelihood of depression. Conversely, fruits, vegetables, vegetable products and fish can help prevent or mitigate it. "There is convincing evidence that there is a relationship between nutritional quality and mental health," said senior author Dr. Camille Lassale from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL.

You are what you eat

According to the scientists, the effects of nutrition go beyond the influence on body size and physical health. Nutrition can also massively influence the general mood. "We have summarized the results from a large number of studies and we have seen a clear pattern," says the expert. A healthy, plant-rich and anti-inflammatory diet can help prevent depression.

Data from 41 studies analyzed

Researchers analyzed data from 41 studies, including four that examined the direct link between a traditional Mediterranean diet and mental health among approximately 36,500 individuals. According to the results, people who were on a Mediterranean diet had a 33 percent lower risk of developing depression within the next eight to 12 years compared to those who were more likely to eat unhealthily.

Anti-inflammatory foods protect against depression

Five of the studies studied looked at the effects of pro-inflammatory foods on mental health. Overall, data from around 33,000 participants were evaluated. The analysis showed that a diet low in saturated fat, sugar and processed foods lowers the risk of developing depression by a quarter. "An inflammatory diet can trigger systemic inflammation, and this can directly increase the risk of depression," Dr. Camille Lassale.

Diet as a therapy for depression

"There are strong arguments now to use nutrition as part of treatment for mental illness," adds co-author Tasnime Akbaraly. In her opinion, dietary advice should be introduced as a routine adjunct to depression therapy. This is important at both the patient and public health level.

Poor nutrition as an increasing health problem

"Poor nutrition is now considered the leading cause of premature death in middle and high-income countries," Akbaraly said. At the same time, mental disorders are the main cause of disability. A better explanation of the consequences of unhealthy nutrition can serve not only the general physical health, but also the spiritual, so the resume of the researchers. (Vb)