The Mediterranean diet can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in people over 60, according to a new study.
- The Mediterranean diet reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety in people over 60, according to a new study.
- Participants who followed this diet best had a significant reduction in these symptoms, regardless of factors such as age or gender.
- To reduce stress and anxiety, researchers recommend limiting the consumption of sugary drinks because, beyond 250 milliliters, it can have a negative impact.
Heart, intestinal, neurological and now mental health! The list of virtues of the Mediterranean diet continues to grow. According to a new study published in the journal Nutrients, it could reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in people over 60.
Following the Mediterranean diet reduces stress and anxiety
During their work, the researchers from the University of South Australiain partnership with University of Sunshine Coast, in Australia, assessed the impact of the Mediterranean diet on the mental health of 294 Australians aged 60 and over. To do this, participants had to complete an online questionnaire about how they ate and their level of depression, stress and anxiety.
Result: scientists observed that those who best followed the Mediterranean diet had fewer symptoms of stress and anxiety. On the other hand, this diet had no impact on depression.
“Lifestyle habits, including diet quality, are increasingly being considered as modifiable risk factors for mental health, indicates Evangeline Mantzioris, dietitian and author of this study, in a communicated. We showed that when older adults following a Mediterranean diet showed a reduction in stress symptoms and anxiety, and that this occurred independently of age, gender, body mass index (BMI) , the amount of their sleep and [de la quantité] of exercise they were doing.”
In the Mediterranean diet, foods are more beneficial
In the Mediterranean diet, researchers have identified foods that are more beneficial than others for reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety. These are nuts, fruits and legumes.
“Through a relatively simple lifestyle change, people can significantly improve their stress and anxiety levels“, concludes Evangeline Mantzioris. The authors emphasize that low consumption of sugary drinks, less than 250 milliliters (ml) per day, also has a harmful impact on mental health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), among older people, anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems – along with depression. The health authority emphasizes that seniors have stress factors specifically linked to aging, such as the loss of intrinsic abilities and the decline in functional abilities.
So, a few changes in seniors’ diets could have a big impact on their mental health!
