People following a Mediterranean-style diet are less likely to feel anxious compared to those on other meal plans, latest research has suggested.
A new study from Binghamton University in New York has found that a diet rich in wholegrains, olive oil, fruit and vegetables can also help people feel less stressed.
During the trial, the team of researchers examined the emotional wellbeing of 1,591 adults who were either following a Mediterranean diet or a traditional Western diet, which consists of high sugar and processed foods.
They found that the participants following a Western diet had higher anxiety and stress levels than those on a Mediterranean-style diet.
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Lead author Professor Lina Begdache said: “Stress is recognised to be a precursor to mental distress, and research, including our own, has demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet lowers mental distress.
“Thus, one element of the puzzle may be explained by the fact that the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a decrease in the negative components of perceived stress and an improvement in its positive attributes.”
Prior research has reported that a Mediterranean diet can also prevent other health conditions, such as a heart attack and stroke.
This study has stated: “The results showed significant negative correlations between perceived stress and mental distress with several components of the Mediterranean diet, such as whole grains, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and beans.
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“Despite being attributed to the Western diet, meat produced a negative correlation with perceived stress and mental distress. However, significant positive correlations between perceived stress and mental distress and the Western diet, such as fast food and high glycaemic index food, were detected.”
The authors added: “Our findings provide evidence that dietary patterns modulate the stress response and suggest that incorporating components of the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for mental wellbeing and stress reduction.”
The study has been published in the journal Nutrition and Health.
