A study has found that a Mediterranean diet can help relieve symptoms in young men with depression.
The Mediterranean diet is a traditional diet of Spanish, Greek, and Italian people. It focuses on plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains, and eats fish, chicken, dairy products, and eggs in moderation, and avoids red meat and sweet snacks. means to minimize
A study by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia found that young men receiving supportive care for depression but who were on a poor diet had significantly fewer symptoms of depression when they switched to a Mediterranean diet.
The research team conducted a three-month study on 72 men with depression between the ages of 18 and 25. The researchers divided them into two groups and gave one group a Mediterranean diet.
The other group, the control group, received supportive care in which social support was provided. The researchers evaluated the results 6 and 12 weeks after the start of the study, respectively.
As a result, the Mediterranean diet group scored significantly higher than the control group on the depression scale and quality of life measure. “These findings suggest that physicians and psychologists should consider referring young men with depression to a nutritionist or dietitian,” said Jessica Bayes, chief researcher.
“Scientifically, there are many reasons to think that food affects mood,” he said. “These microbes can communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve.”
“In order to have beneficial microbes, you need to eat plenty of fiber in fruits and vegetables,” he added. Several studies have found that the Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and more.
The results of this study (The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the “AMMEND” study): A Randomized Control Trial) were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. has been published
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