Mediterranean Diet Improves Depressive Symptoms in Young Men

New research highlights the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to young men.

Young males with a poor diet saw a significant improvement in their symptoms of depression when they switched to a healthy Mediterranean diet. Image credit: Barbara Jackson.

“Depression is a common mental health condition which affects 1 in 8 males each year, especially young adults,” said University of Technology Sydney Ph.D. candidate Jessica Bayes and her colleagues.

“Young adulthood offers an opportunity for early dietary interventions, with research suggesting that a Mediterranean diet could be beneficial in treating depression.”

To assess the effect of a Mediterranean diet intervention in the treatment of depression in young males (18-25 years), the researchers conducted a 12-week, parallel-group, open-label, randomized control trial.

A total of 72 participants completed the study. Befriending therapy was chosen for the control group. Assessments were taken at baseline, week 6 and week 12.

Diet adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Adherence Score (MEDAS). The primary outcome measure was the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI-II) and secondary outcome was Quality of Life (QoL).

After 12 weeks, the MEDAS scores were significantly higher in the Mediterranean diet group compared to the befriending group.

The mean changes in BDI-II and QoL scores were also significantly higher in the diet group compared to the befriending group at week 12.

“We were surprised by how willing the young men were to take on a new diet,” Bayes noted.

“Those assigned to the Mediterranean diet were able to significantly change their original diets, under the guidance of a nutritionist, over a short time frame.”