Nourishing the mind: how the EAT-Lancet reference diet (ELD) and MIND diet impact stress, anxiety, and depression
Although earlier studies have shown a connection between nutrition and mental health, little is known about how new diets, like the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension] Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet and the ELD (EAT-Lancet Reference Diet) affect mental health in various populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between following these diets and the likelihood of stress, anxiety, and depression. Kamrani et al. (2024) used participant data from the Persian Organizational Cohort Study (POCM, n = 4579) to assess the possible influence of new diets, collecting information on dietary consumption (118-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]) and ELD fidelity (Planetary Health Diet Index [PHDI]). Lastly, the authors evaluated mental health using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). According to the adjusted analysis, the risk of depression was 35% lower for individuals in the top quartile of the PHDI than for those in the bottom quartile. Participants in the highest MIND diet quartile also had significantly decreased risks of anxiety, stress, and depression when compared to the reference quartile. No significant association was found between the ELD and anxiety or stress. Both the ELD and MIND diets were linked to a reduced risk of depression, with the MIND diet also associated with a decreased likelihood of anxiety and stress. Nevertheless, no links were found between stress or anxiety and ELD fidelity. The authors recommend conducting larger-scale research to validate these results. [NPID: EAT-Lancet diet, planetary healthy diet index, MIND diet, Depression, Anxiety, Stress]
Year: 2024
