Jessica Bayes, from the University of Technology Sydney and principal investigator of this latest study, said: “These results highlight the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform the advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic.
“The main focus was to increase diet quality with fresh whole foods, while reducing intake of ‘fast’ foods, sugar and processed red meat.
“There are many reasons why we scientifically think that food affects mood. For example, about 90 percent of serotonin, a chemical that helps us feel happy, is produced in our gut by our gut microbes.”
He added: “There is emerging evidence that these microbes can communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, in what is called the gut-brain axis. In order to have beneficial microbes, we need to feed them fiber, which is found in legumes, fruits and vegetables.”
‘Men willing to adopt a new diet’
the men in Mediterranean diet group wanted to continue with him once the program was over, the researchers said.
Ms Bayes added: “We were surprised by how willing young people were to adopt a new diet. Those assigned to the Mediterranean diet were able to significantly change their original diets, under the guidance of a nutritionist, in a short period of time.
“It suggests that clinicians and psychologists should consider referring depressed youth to a nutritionist or dietitian as an important component of clinical depression treatment.
“Nearly all of our participants continued with the program, and many were eager to continue the diet after the study ended, showing how effective, tolerable, and valuable they found the intervention.”
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