A new study has revealed that following a Mediterranean diet may help reduce stress.
Unlike a Western diet, which is known to increase stress levels, a Mediterranean diet, rich in plant foods and healthy fats, appears to reduce stress and psychological distress, possibly by improving the positive attributes of perceived stress.
Mediterranean diet and stress reduction
Following a Mediterranean diet may make you feel less stressed than a traditional Western diet, according to a new study from a team at the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Lina Begdace, an associate professor of health and wellness studies, said the findings suggest that following a Mediterranean diet can help lower people’s perception of how much stress they can tolerate.
How diet impacts mental health
“Stress is recognized as a precursor to psychological distress, and studies, including our own, have demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet reduces psychological distress,” she said. “Thus, one piece of this puzzle may be explained by the fact that the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a reduction in the negative components of perceived stress and an improvement in the positive components.”
Research Methods and Results
The Mediterranean diet is based on plant-based foods with healthy fats and contains mostly wholesome foods and a variety of natural colors. This diet stands in contrast to the Western diet, which is known for being high in glycemic index and high in low-quality processed foods.
The Mediterranean diet is known to have benefits for both mental and physical health, but little is known about its effects on perceived stress – how stressed you are at any given time.
To assess this, Begdace and her students surveyed more than 1,500 people, asking them what types of foods they were eating and rating their stress levels. Machine Learning According to the model, consuming elements of a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of perceived stress and psychological distress, whereas consuming elements of a Western diet is associated with higher levels of perceived stress and psychological distress.
Filling research gaps
Begdace says these results fill a gap in the literature, as most research on diet and stress has focused on how stress affects food choices and quality. He and his team are looking at different aspects of brain function and behavior that are related to eating patterns.
The study, titled “Effect of Mediterranean and Western dietary patterns on stress and psychological distress,” was published in the journal Nutrition and Health.
Reference: “The Impact of Mediterranean and Western Dietary Patterns on Perceived Stress and Psychological Distress” Ushima Chowdhury, Sabrina Bubis, Katerina Nagorny, Megan Welch, Lexis Rosenberg, Lina Begdache, July 24, 2024, Nutrition and Health.
Translation: 10.1177/02601060241263375
