The Mediterranean Diet and Its Benefits for Emotional and Mental Health

Research shows that people who follow a Mediterranean-style eating pattern tend to have healthier brain function compared to those who follow less nutritious diets, such as the Western diet. Learn more

Let's explore the differences and discover how the Mediterranean diet supports cognitive and emotional well-being.

Cognitive Function

A recent study found that individuals who adhered closely to the Mediterranean diet or the A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS) during early to middle adulthood were significantly less likely to experience poor cognitive function in midlife, compared to those who did not follow these diets. Read more

Benefits for Depression

  1. A Mediterranean diet, rich in fresh foods and low in fast food, sugar, and processed meats, has been shown to help young men manage symptoms of depression. Read more

  2. Supplementing a Mediterranean-style diet with fish oil may improve mental health outcomes in people experiencing depression. Read more

  3. Studies suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. Read more

  4. Following the Mediterranean diet could be a protective factor for mental health, particularly in children and adolescents. Read more

  5. Adherence to a healthy diet could be a complementary intervention for the prevention of depression. Read more

Benefits for Stress Management

  1. Eating a Mediterranean diet may help reduce the effects of stress. Read more

  2. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been shown to counteract stress-induced inflammation, lowering the risk of future mental health issues.Benefits for Optimism and Mood. Read more

Benefits for Optimism and Mood

  1. Adolescents who follow the Mediterranean diet tend to report higher levels of happiness. Read more

  2. For women, Mediterranean diet foods have been linked to an improved mood. Read more

Benefits for ADD and ADHD

  1. Low adherence to the Mediterranean diet may play a role in the development of ADHD in children. Read more

  2. Children who closely follow a Mediterranean diet, which includes vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, grains, and fish, may have a decreased likelihood of developing ADHD. Read more

News4JAX The Local Station Aug 7, 2019 A recent study shows people who stick to a Mediterranean diet have better brain function at midlife than those who eat other types of diets

Kim Rose Dietitian Feb 21, 2020

They are all connected! In today's video, guest dietitian Coral Dabarera Edelson, MS, RD to share with us an evidenced-based PowerPoint answer all my burning questions about the connection between diet and mental health.

Dr. Tracey Marks Sep 25, 2019

Did you know that A healthy diet is associated with an approximately 30% reduction in the risk for depression and a 40% improvement in your thinking?