Study reveals role of Mediterranean diet in reducing perceived stress 

 

 

A new study by a team from Binghamton University and the State University of New York suggests that  following a Mediterranean diet may make people feel less stressed compared to a traditional Western diet. 

 Lina Begdache, associate professor of health and wellness studies, said the results suggest that following a Mediterranean diet can lower people's perception of how much stress they can tolerate. 

Stress is thought to be a precursor to psychological distress, and studies, including our own, have shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces psychological distress. "So part of the puzzle may be explained by the fact that the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a reduction in the negative elements of perceived stress and an improvement in its positive characteristics." 

The Mediterranean diet is plant-based with healthy fats, mostly whole foods, and contains a variety of natural colors. This diet stands in stark contrast to the Western diet, which is known for being high in glycemic, low-quality processed foods.  While the Mediterranean diet is known for its  mental  and physical health benefits, little is known about its impact on perceived stress, i.e., how much stress one is exposed to at any given time. 

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To evaluate this, Begdash and her students surveyed more than 1,500 people, asking them what types of foods they consumed and measuring the stress levels they felt. Using  machine learning models, the results show that consumption of components of the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of perceived stress and psychological distress, while consumption of components of a Western diet correlates with perceived stress and psychological distress. 

Begdash said  these findings fill a gap in the literature, as the majority of research on diet and stress has focused on how stress affects food choices and quality. She and her team study different aspects of brain function and behavior related to dietary habits. 

The study, "Effects of Mediterranean and Western dietary habits on  stress and psychological distress," was published in the journal Nutrition and Health.