Thread: Study shows Mediterranean diet cuts depression risk

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LONDON (Reuters) - People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish are less likely to become depressed, scientists said on Monday, but the reasons are unclear.
Spanish researchers studied 11,000 people and found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely had a more than 30 percent reduction in the risk of depression than those whose diet had few of the crucial Mediterranean elements.
"The specific mechanisms by which a better adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern could help to prevent the occurrence of depression are not well known," said Almudena Sanchez-Villegas and colleagues at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Navarra, Spain.
But the researchers suggested that elements of the diet may improve blood vessel function, fight inflammation and repair oxygen-related cell damage -- all of which could reduce the chances of developing depression.
The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry journal, adds to an existing body of evidence showing the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, including reduced risks of health disease, diabetes, asthma and cancer.
The study used data from Spanish people who reported their dietary intake on a food frequency questionnaire.
The researchers worked out how close their eating habits were to the Mediterranean diet based on nine components: A high ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids; moderate intake of alcohol and dairy foods; low intake of meat; and high intake of legumes, fruit and nuts, cereals, vegetables and fish.
"Individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely had a greater than 30 percent reduction in the risk of depression than whose who had the lowest Mediterranean diet scores," they wrote.



Study shows Mediterranean diet cuts depression risk | Health | Reuters

This result is not surprising to me. I've read and heard many times that two of the healthiest diets in the world are what's called "California cuisine" and "Tuscan cuisine". Both types of cooking and eating feature the sorts of fruits, vegetables, and nuts that abound in both Tuscany and California. California is one of the few Mediterranean climates in the world.

That's just ONE darned good reason for the White folks who CREATED California to defend it from the hordes of invaders who have decided that they like what the White Californians built...and want to steal it.

Another reason that the Tuscan cuisine and California cuisine are very healthy is the manner of preparation, which involves lots of raw fruit and vegetables, or light cooking. Thus you get more vitamins and enzymes with your meal. Also, if you're eating a lot of vegetables and fruits and nuts with your meal (and cheeses too)...then there's less room left for less nutritive and more fattening starches.