Don’t worry! A Mediterranean diet may help relieve anxiety and improve your physical well-being, research suggests

The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are well known: it reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions.

However, today it has been shown that people feel less anxious and stressed when they limit themselves to meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil.

A study found that this diet is similar to a traditional Western diet, high in processed, low-quality foods and sugary treats.

Analysis found that among the 1,591 adults surveyed, those who ate components of the Mediterranean diet experienced less stress and mental distress overall.

According to researcher Professor Lina Begdache of Binghamton University in New York, having a Western diet was associated with higher levels.

The benefits of a Mediterranean diet are already well-known, as it reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions. Now, however, it has been shown that people feel less anxious and stressed when they stick to meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil.

Professor Begdache said her findings suggest that people can reduce their perception of the amount of stress they can tolerate by following a Mediterranean diet.

She added: ‘It is well known that stress is a precursor to mental stress. Research, including our own, has shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces mental stress.

‘One element of the puzzle may thus 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 its positive aspects.’ Although the Mediterranean diet has been known to have benefits for both mental and physical health, little has been known about its effect on perceived stress, or the level of stress a person is experiencing at any given time.

Professor Begdache said the findings, published in the medical journal Nutrition and Health, “fill a gap” in the literature, as most research into diet and stress focuses on how stress affects food choice and quality.

Analysis found that of the 1,591 adults surveyed who ate components of the Mediterranean diet, they tended to report lower stress levels and less mental distress.

The research article states: ‘The results showed a significant negative correlation between perceived stress and mental distress across several components of the Mediterranean diet, such as whole grains, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and beans.

‘Despite being attributed to the Western diet, meat was found to have a negative correlation with perceived stress and psychological complaints.

However, significant positive correlations were found between perceived stress and mental stress and the Western diet, such as fast food and foods with a high glycemic index.

‘Our findings provide evidence that dietary patterns modulate the stress response and suggest that incorporating components of the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for mental well-being and stress reduction.’

Professor Begdache and her team are currently investigating various aspects of brain function and behaviour in relation to dietary patterns.