Mediterranean Lifestyle Correlates with Low Risk of Depression

Yesterday I told you about a recent study which found those who followed the Mediterranean diet were more than 30% less likely to develop depression than those who did not.

The researchers suggested that individual components of the diet may improve blood vessel function, fight inflammation, reduce the risk of heart disease, and repair oxygen-related cell damage, all of which may affect the risk of developing depression.

The researchers further noted that, "It is plausible that the synergistic combination of a sufficient provision of omega-three fatty acids together with other natural unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants from olive oil and nuts, flavonoids and other phytochemicals from fruit and other plant foods and large amounts of natural folates and other B vitamins in the overall Mediterranean dietary pattern may exert a fair degree of protection against depression."

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and find some of Jean’s favorite Mediterranean-style recipes, read these related articles:

• From Roma to Sonoma – the Mediterranean diet is accessible even if you don’t live on the Mediterranean;
• The Mediterranean Way – it’s a lifestyle, not a diet;
• Secrets of the World’s Healthiest Populations; and
• Are You on Board with the Mediterranean/Sonoma Lifestyle Yet?

Tags: Mediterranean lifestyle, Mediterranean diet, health-giving diet, Sonoma lifestyle, Sonoma diet , reduced risk of depression, depression research