article_snippet: Now, researchers have found the Mediterranean diet can help people with depression, too.
article_snippet: A study found people who followed the Mediterranean diet were happier, less stressed and reported an improved quality of life compared to those who ate fewer Mediterranean foods.
article_snippet: the Mediterranean diet consists of plant-based foods such as vegetables, legumes, fruit, nuts, seeds and olives, extra virgin olive oil, fish, with moderate red wine intake.
article_snippet: the Mediterranean diet also involves a low consumption of processed food, processed carbohydrates, sweets and chocolate and red meat.
article_snippet: Australian researchers then assessed how strongly Australian researchers followed the Mediterranean diet through a 14-item questionnaire.
article_snippet: The study’s lead author, Dr Natalie Parletta, of the University of South Australia, said there was a strong link between the Mediterranean diet and lower scores for mental illness.
article_snippet: So it was amazing that there was a significant correlation the Mediterranean diet and mental illness, even for people with low scores on the consumption of wholefoods.
article_snippet: A Mediterranean diet is high in nutrients such as omega-3, vitamin B, vitamin D, healthy fats and anti-oxidants, She said, which are all important for keeping the brain functioning well and staving off mental illness.
article_snippet: So no stress is best of all, but a Mediterranean diet with stress is better than a poor diet with stress.'
highlights_snippet: People who adhered more strongly to Mediterranean diet were happier .
  
highlights_snippet: Mediterranean diet contains nutrients like omega-3, vitamins and fibre .
  