Mediterranean Diet: A Shield Against Depression?

Followers of the Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop depression according to the results of a recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, reports NHIondemand. The Mediterranean diet is based upon traditional diet of the Mediterranean Basin region. Researchers had over 10,000 healthy, depression-free adults follow the Mediterranean diet and fill out questionnaires between 1999 and 2005. Study participants were asked to consume a diet low on meat, with a moderate level of alcohol and dairy products, and with high levels of fruits, nuts, cereals, vegetables, fish and olive oil. The researchers questioned participants again after an average of 4.4 years and found that the overall incidence of depression was 30% lower among those who had followed the diet closely. Even lower rates of depression were recognized among those that that specifically ate fruits, vegetables and olive oil. The researchers noted that adopting the Mediterranean diet is not an appropriate treatment for depression, but that the diet might serve as a preventative measure for those with a family history of depression.

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