Eating fish, drinking red wine, and using olive oil in cooking may cut your risk of developing depression. That‘s what Spanish researchers discovered when they followed more than 10,000 healthy men and women for 10 years. Throughout the study, the researchers monitored each patient‘s diet as well as their mental health. While some patients ate whatever they wanted, others followed the so-called Mediterranean diet. This means they ate mainly fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. They also cooked with plenty of olive oil and indulged in the occasional glass of red wine.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that the Mediterranean dieters fared much better overall. They were much more likely to steer clear of depression. In fact, the incidence of depression among the Mediterranean dieters was 30 percent lower than those who ate whatever they wanted.
Researchers aren‘t exactly sure why the Mediterranean diet seems to support mental health, but they‘re on their way to figuring it out. If you ask me, it‘s all about eating fish and olive oil. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients known to support mental health. (A small glass of red wine at the end of a long workweek probably didn‘t hurt either.)
Bottom line? While I‘m not the biggest promoter of drinking alcohol, I do think you should use plenty of olive oil in your cooking. And strive to eat fatty fish two to three times a week. If you‘re a salmon lover, avoid farm-raised varieties. These poor fellas just aren‘t as healthy. And farmers actually inject dye into the filets to make them look pink. Instead, go for wild Alaskan sockeye salmon. You can even find individual packages in the freezer section of many grocery stores.
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