Fighting Depression with the Mediterranean Diet

Since October 8, 2009 is National Depression Screening Day, I thought this was a timely article from the U.K. referencing diet as a contributing factor to depression.

"How a Mediterranean diet can help you battle depression:

Spanish researchers studied more than 10,000 healthy adults over four years and discovered that those who had the traditional diet of lots of fruit and veg, olive oil, fish, cereals, nuts, not too much meat and a moderate amount of alcohol, were 30% less likely to develop depression.....

We also know that a diet high in olive oil increases the availability of serotonin, a mood-boosting brain chemical. This is the way that some antidepressants work.

Some research has also shown a link between clinical depression and low levels of omega-3 fats, found in oily fish like sardines.

The plentiful supply of fruit and veg means it's high in antioxidants - substances that keep the immune system healthy, helping us to fight off infections such as colds as well as serious illnesses like cancer."

Read the rest here.