Mediterranean Diets Keep You Happier

People who follow a Mediterranean diet are likely to be happier in life. This is the conclusion of a new report published in the journal ‘Archives of General Psychiatry’. The study’s authors say a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish seems to make people less likely to develop depression. This may explain why people who live in Mediterranean countries are more laid back than other Europeans. There are fewer mental disorders in Mediterranean countries and scientists believe this could be because of the diet. The new research supports previous studies that suggested olive oil protects against depression. No Italian, Spanish or Greek meal is complete without olive oil.

Researchers from Spain’s University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Clinic of the University of Navarra, Pamplona asked 10,000 people to keep track of what they ate. The scientists observed dietary habits and instances of depression for four years. They discovered there was a thirty per cent lower risk of developing depression in people who stuck to the Mediterranean diet. The research team says it is still unsure why this diet reduces the likelihood of depression. They said the diet could boost blood vessel performance and increase the body’s efficiency to produce oxygen. Both these things make the brain and heart perform better. If our mind and body are healthier, it seems natural we will be happier.

Questions

1. Do you think people in Mediterranean countries are more laid back?

2. Do you think there’s a link between food and happiness?

3. Do you think the kind of food you eat can lead to depression?

4. What food do you eat when you are unhappy? Is this healthy

5. How healthy is your country’s national food?