Mediterranean Diet & Depression (2009)
This study investigated the mediterranean diet & depression. In a study of over 10,000 healthy Spanish participants – those who followed a Mediterranean diet most closely had a greater than 30% reduction in the risk of depression.
The specific mechanisms which help to prevent the occurrence of depression are not well known, however, the authors suggest that the role of the overall dietary pattern may be more important than the effect of single components. It is plausible that the synergistic combination of a sufficient provision of omega-three fatty acids together with other natural unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants from olive oil and nuts, flavonoids and other phytochemicals from fruit and vegetables and increase levels of folate and other B vitamins in the overall Mediterranean diet may exert a fair degree of protection against depression.