Eating a certain way can prevent depression.

Studies have shown that the Mediterranean Diet can help protect against cardiovascular disease.

The study reviewed here assessed the association between the Mediterranean dietary pattern and the risk of depression (Sanchez-Villegas A., et al. 2009). A total of 10,094 participants who were healthy at the beginning of the study were followed from 1999 and is still followed.

After a median follow-up of 4.4 years the results showed inverse dose-response relationships for fruits, nuts, the monounsaturated fat (olive oil) to saturated fat (animal fat) ratio and legumes.

The researchers concluded that the result suggested a protective role of the Mediterranean dietary pattern regarding the prevention of depressive disorders.

This is one more reason to eat a low glycemic index diet similar to the Mediterranean pattern.

If you are interested in easy to make recipes and more information on how to reduce the risk for chronic disease the book, "The Food Connection" describes the reasoning and research for a very healthy way of eating, click here.




Reference:

Association of the Mediterranean dietary pattern with the incidence of depression: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra/University of Navarra follow-up (SUN) cohort. Sánchez-Villegas A, Delgado-Rodríguez M, Alonso A, Schlatter J, Lahortiga F, Majem LS, Martínez-González MA. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009 Oct;66(10):1090-8.