Eating a Mediterranean-style diet may help protect against depression, study finds

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in processed foods and sugar can protect against depression, according to a study by researchers at the University of Manchester.

The study, which analyzed data from over 40,000 people in the UK, found that those who followed a Mediterranean-style diet were less likely to develop depression and had better mental health overall. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and the study’s findings could have significant implications for public health policies around the world.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking diet to mental health and highlights the importance of a healthy diet in promoting overall well-being. However, experts insist that more rigorous, targeted trials are needed to establish evidence of the potential link between a healthy diet and lowered depression risk or treatment with diet. Nonetheless, the study suggests that the foods we eat can make a difference to our mental health.