Summary: The Mediterranean diet may reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in older adults. The study, involving 294 Australians aged 60 and over, found significant mental health benefits from consuming fruits, nuts, legumes and minimizing sugary drinks.
These benefits were independent of age, sex, sleep and BMI. The Mediterranean diet is an effective and simple lifestyle change to improve mental well-being.
Highlights:
- Sanity Boost: The Mediterranean diet reduces anxiety and stress in older adults.
- Essential elements: Fruits, nuts, legumes and low sugar intake are crucial.
- Independent benefits: Effects observed regardless of age, sex, sleep and BMI.
Source: University of South Australia
It’s no secret that the Mediterranean diet is good for your health. Already recommended for reducing the risks of bowel cancer, heart disease and dementia, new research from the University of South Australia published in the journal Nutrients shows that the Mediterranean diet can also reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Conducted in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, researchers assessed the impact of a Mediterranean diet on the mental health of 294 older Australians (aged 60 and over), finding that it reduced the severity of anxiety and stress, independent of age, sex, sleep, and BMI.
Additionally, they identified that specific elements of the diet – fruits, nuts, legumes and low consumption of sugary drinks (less than 250 ml per day) – reduced the severity of anxiety and stress.
Globally, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder, affecting more than 301 million people. 1 in 4 people in Australia will experience anxiety in their lifetime.
Dr Evangeline Mantzioris, renowned dietitian and researcher at UniSA, says the Mediterranean diet can play an important role in improving mental health and quality of life.
“Globally, we are facing an unprecedented aging population. Yet despite this longevity, many people continue to struggle with their health and well-being,” says Dr. Mantzioris.
“Lifestyle behaviors, including diet quality, are gaining increasing attention as modifiable risk factors for poor mental health, with the Mediterranean diet approved to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote healthy aging.
“In this study, we showed that when older adults followed a Mediterranean diet, their symptoms of stress and anxiety decreased – and that this happened regardless of their age, gender, BMI or weight loss. amount of sleep and exercise they got.
“This is a major plus for the Mediterranean diet: through a relatively simple lifestyle change, people can significantly improve their stress and anxiety levels, even if they wouldn’t want to try.”
A Mediterranean diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and seeds, nuts, legumes and olive oil. Fish and seafood should be incorporated at least twice a week, while dairy products and lean proteins can be consumed daily in small portions. The diet encourages infrequent consumption of red meats and processed foods.
About this research news on diet and mental health
Author: Evangeline Mantzioris
Source: University of South Australia
Contact: Evangeline Mantzioris – University of South Australia
Picture: Image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Free access.
“Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with anxiety and stress, but not depression: a cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling older Australians” by Evangeline Mantzioris et al. Nutrients
Abstract
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with anxiety and stress, but not depression: a cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling older Australians
Diet quality may be an important modifiable risk factor for mental health disorders. However, these results are inconsistent, particularly among older adults.
We explored independent associations between adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and severity of symptoms related to depression, anxiety and stress among older adults in Australia.
This was a cross-sectional analysis of Australians aged ≥60 years. MedDiet adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS−21) was used to assess the severity of negative emotional symptoms.
A total of not = 294 participants were included in the final analyzes (70.4 ± 6.2 years). Adherence to a MedDiet was inversely associated with severity of anxiety symptoms (β = −0.118; CI: −0.761, −0.012; p = 0.043) regardless of age, sex, BMI, physical activity, sleep, cognitive risk and ability to perform activities of daily living.
Additionally, MedDiet adherence was inversely associated with stress symptoms (β = −0.151; CI: −0.680, −0.073; p = 0.015) regardless of age, gender, BMI, physical activity and sleep.
However, no relationship between MedDiet adherence and depressive symptoms was observed. We showed that adherence to a MedDiet is inversely associated with severity of symptoms related to anxiety and stress but not depression.
Exploring these findings using longitudinal analyzes and robust clinical trials is needed to better elucidate these findings in older adults.
News Source : neurosciencenews.com
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