According to a new study conducted by researchers from London and Barcelona, following a Mediterranean diet is tied to greater psychological well-being among adults over 50.
To date, numerous studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil—help protect against physical decline and the development of depression.
However, this new study goes a step further by focusing on positive psychological well-being, which encompasses dimensions such as control, autonomy, pleasure and self-realization, and includes questions relating to independence, enjoyment of life, sense of purpose, energy levels and future outlook.
The study suggests that the benefits of following a Mediterranean diet for well-being are independent of the presence of depressive symptoms or the participants’ socioeconomic status.
About the study
The study analyzed data from 3,296 adults aged between 50 and 90 years who were participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Dietary habits were assessed using an online platform, where participants reported everything they had eaten and drunk on two non-consecutive days. Psychological well-being was evaluated through questionnaires administered on up to two occasions between.
Protection against the mental health effects of COVID-19
Data collected showed that the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive measures that followed had a negative emotional impact on study participants. However, the decline in emotional well-being was less pronounced among individuals with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, suggesting a protective effect.
The study is observational and, therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution, since it cannot draw causal conclusions.
Even so, the questionnaires administered during the pandemic allowed the researchers to follow participants over time, which is a strength of the study.
Although the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and better mental health are still being investigated, the evidence suggests that its foundational foods and components help regulate key processes such as stress responses, inflammation, gut health and brain function.
These new findings provide further evidence of the relationship between what we eat and our mental health.
Source: BMJ Open, June 2026
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.