Mediterranean diet could help depressed young men

Meals rich in fruit, fish, vegetables and grains can play ‘vital role in treatment of condition’, claims study

A MEDITERRANEAN diet may be more effective for tackling depression than therapy in young men, a study suggests.

A clinical trial, led by University of Technology Sydney, is the first to assess the effect of the diet – which consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and grains – on young men’s mental health.

The findings suggest doctors should recommend patients to a nutritionist or dietician as part of their treatment plan, the researchers said.

Previous research has suggested that following the diet can cut the risk of depression by reducing inflammation in the body.

One study, by scientists at University College London, found that people who ate plenty of fruit, vegetables, fish and nuts, had a 33 per cent lower risk of suffering from depression.

This latest research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involved 72 men aged 18 to 25.

One group was assigned a Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks, while another group took part in befriending therapy.

They were assessed at the beginning of the trial and then again after six and 12 weeks.

The patients in the Mediterranean group had a “significantly” higher quality of life score than the group who undertook befriending sessions.

Their BDI-II score, which is a widely used measure of depressive symptoms, also improved more quickly.

The researchers say the diet may help people with poor mental health by helping their gut release serotonin.

The chemical is made by gut microbes but they need to be fed fibre, found in fruit and vegetables, to work effectively.

The findings come after official figures found the risk of suicide for firstyear male undergraduates is higher than their female counterparts.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published estimates of suicides among higher education students between the academic years ending 2017 and 2020.

Among male students the suicide rate was 5.6 deaths per 100,000 students, compared to 2.5 per 100,000 for female students.

Jessica Bayes, from the University of Technology Sydney, and lead researcher of this latest study, said: “These results highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic population.

“The primary focus was on increasing diet quality with fresh wholefoods while reducing the intake of ‘fast’ foods, sugar and processed red meat.”

Ms Bayes added: “Nearly all our participants [were] keen to continue the diet once the study ended, which shows how effective, tolerable and worthwhile they found the intervention.”