Mediterranean diet study links to better mental health in over‑50s

Researchers from University College London and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health analyzed data from 3,296 participants aged 50‑90 who were part of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Dietary habits were recorded in 2018‑19 and psychological well‑being was assessed up to 2020 using the CASP‑12 scale.

The observational study, published in BMJ Open, found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil—was associated with greater psychological well‑being and a smaller decline in mental health during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Authors note the results are correlational and call for further research into the underlying biological mechanisms.