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Mediterranean Diet Reduces Depression Risk
Individuals who closely adhered to a Mediterranean diet, focusing on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, had lower odds of depression, according to The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Women with the highest adherence to a Mediterranean diet had 71% reduced odds of depression, while men with the highest adherence had 79% reduced odds.1 A recent meta-analysis similarly found that a Mediterranean diet was protective against developing depression.2
References
- Hwang YG, Pae C, Lee SH, Yook KH, Park CI. Relationship between Mediterranean diet and depression in South Korea: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey. Front Nutr. 2023;10. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1219743
- Shafiei F, Salari-Moghaddam A, Larijani B, Esmaillzadeh A. Mediterranean diet and depression: reanalysis of a meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2023;81(7):889-890. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuad023
