The interaction between Mediterranean and Western diets can affect stress levels

A new study from Binghamton University, State University of New York, suggests that eating healthy foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains can actually have an impact on our stress levels and stress levels.

The journal Nutrition and Health published the research results.

In a study led by Lina Begdache, associate professor of health and wellness studies, the team investigated whether different dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and the Western diet, influence this perception of stress.

Results from previous studies (2002) suggest that the Mediterranean diet helps improve both mental and physical health. However, surprisingly little research has been done on how diet affects the amount of stress a person feels as a result of increased stress-related high blood pressure and/or hypertension. Meanwhile, most studies on diet and diet-related studies have focused on the effects of diet on the person's dietary choices rather than diet-related effects.

Begdache and her team conducted a qualitative study on a group of 1,591 college students who were asked questions about their dietary habits and perceived stress levels. The survey included questions about the frequency of consumption of certain food groups characteristic of the Mediterranean or Western diet. In addition, students completed questionnaires on the Perceived Stress Scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.

By using a machine learning algorithm, the research team was able to observe patterns in the relationships between different dietary habits and stress perception.

It was found that eating Mediterranean foods was associated with lower levels of stress and psychological distress, and participants who followed a Mediterranean diet also had lower levels of stress.

Conversely, people who ate a Western diet, which included processed foods, sugar, and foods high in sugar (such as white bread and candy), were found to be more likely to have and experience psychological problems. In addition, consumption of foods high in sugar, such as fast food, sugary snacks, and caffeinated beverages, was more likely to lead to increased feelings of stress in people with a Western diet.

Begdache found that stress is a precursor to psychological suffering. Recent research has found that the Mediterranean diet alleviates psychological suffering.

The researchers found that certain elements of the Western diet, including meat and dairy, were not strongly linked to higher stress levels compared to other Western foods such as fast food and sugary snacks. In addition, certain animal proteins appeared to have a slight negative correlation with stress, which the researchers said may be due to their high content of nutrients such as tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine that plays a role in regulating mood.

Although the results are compelling, the study has some limitations. The cross-sectional approach of the study limited observation of participants' dietary habits and stress levels at a specific point in time, making it difficult to establish causality. This may result in the need for longitudinal studies to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

The use of self-reported data is a weakness because it may introduce bias into the results. Additionally, the sample consisted primarily of college students rather than the general population. Future research should focus on obtaining a more diverse sample to evaluate the validity of these findings across different age groups and social contexts.

The study raises interesting questions about which specific components of the Mediterranean diet are most effective at reducing stress, and which foods and food combinations are most effective. Further research may be needed to understand how diet affects stress, including the impact on inflammation and the impact of gut health on mental well-being.

According to the researchers, the Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, while the Western diet is deficient in these nutrients and has a higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. They suspect that processed foods and caffeine consumption also contribute to increased cortisol levels and stress responses. Their findings are expected to support further research into how dietary habits can influence stress responses and psychological distress.

Ushima Chowdhury, Sabrina Bubis, Katerina Nagorny, Megan Welch, Lexis Rosenberg and Lina Begdache have written a paper on the effects of Mediterranean and Western dietary habits on stress and psychological discomfort.