Mediterranean diet linked to better mental wellbeing in adults over 50

A new observational study by researchers at University College London and the Barcelona‑based Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal) published in BMJ Open examined the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and psychological wellbeing in people aged 50 to 90. The analysis used data from 3,296 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, recording dietary habits in 2018‑2019 and assessing wellbeing through questionnaires up to early 2020, including the COVID‑19 pandemic period.

The findings indicate that participants who adhered more closely to the Mediterranean dietary pattern experienced a smaller decline in wellbeing indicators such as autonomy, enjoyment of life, sense of purpose, energy levels and optimism during the pandemic. Researchers noted that the diet’s rich content of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil may help regulate inflammation, stress response, gut health and brain function. However, the authors stressed that the study is observational and cannot prove a causal link. “This is an observational study, so the results must be interpreted with caution,” said lead author Kamal Lasaal of ISGlobal.

The study suggests the Mediterranean diet could serve as a protective factor for mental health in older adults, though further research is needed to confirm the mechanisms.