Researchers from Canaria, Spain and Minneapolis, Minnesota report that the Mediterranean diet might lower the risk of depressive disorders.
First, the details.
- 10,094 initially healthy Spaniards participated in the study.
- They were classified as having depression if they were free of depression and antidepressant medication at the start of the study, but then reported that a physician-made a diagnosis of clinical depression and/or antidepressant medication use during follow-up.
And, the results.
- After about 4 years, 480 new cases of depression were identified.
- Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet resulted in a significantly lower risk of depression.
- This inverse dose-response relationships was found for fruit and nuts, the monounsaturated- to saturated-fatty-acids ratio, and legumes.
The bottom line?
Back in 2006, the same researchers published a similar study that suggested a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet.
However, there are several limitations that make the findings from both studies preliminary.
Dr. Viviane Kovess-Masfety at McGill University, in Canada and Université Paris, in France, says that the limitations of this study include relatively poor diagnostic documentation of depression and a highly selected population — students and professionals in only one country, Spain.
Additional studies will be needed.
10/10/09 22:33 JR