Researchers from the University of Technology in Sydney (Australia) observed 72 young men aged 18 to 25 who were undergoing treatment for depression for 12 weeks. They proposed to some of them to follow a Mediterranean-type diet: lots of ffruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil, but small amounts of meat, dairy products and a little red wine. And for the others to follow a therapy consisting of participating in a support group.
At the end of the 3 months of follow-up, the patients who followed a Mediterranean diet showed a greater reduction in the symptoms of depression and a better quality of life. “These results suggest that doctors and psychologists should consider referring young men they treat for depression to a nutritionist or dietitian, said in a press release Jessica Bayes, lead author of the study. “We were surprised at how willing the young men were to embrace a new diet,” Bayes said. “People assigned to the Mediterranean diet were able to significantly modify their original diet, under the guidance of a nutritionist, over a short period of time.” she adds.
A diet that reduces intestinal inflammation
Already in 2018, metabolic medicine specialists from University College London (Great Britain) claimed that a diet composed of fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish, nuts and olive oil, and without too much meat or dairy products, in other words a mediterranean diet, seemed to have beneficial effects on mood. After examining 41 studies published since 2010, these researchers had shown that people with a diet close to the Mediterranean diet were 33% less likely to suffer from mental disorders. This would be due to the fact that this diet reduces intestinal inflammation, which would have the effect of improving mood.
All the benefits of the Mediterranean diet
If we are to believe the many studies published on this way of eating (formerly known as the Cretan diet and now known as the Mediterranean diet), we learn that:
- The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of diabetes
- It protects the brain from cognitive decline
- The Mediterranean diet limits the recurrence of cardiovascular disease
- It fights high blood pressure
- And it would be more effective than viagra for erectile dysfunction
Source : The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the “AMMEND” study): A Randomized Control TrialJournal of clinical nutrition, April 2022
