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The Potential Role of the Mediterranean Diet in Preventing Depression in the Elderly

Author(s)

Xinyue Jiang

Affiliation(s)

Department of Food system, Nutrition and Health University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA *Corresponding author

Abstract

In the recent decade, due to its nutritional components and diversified food structure, the Mediterranean diet has been under extensive research for having relations to the prevention or improvement of several health problems. This review aims at discussing the potential preventive role of the Mediterranean diet in elderly depression. This article first summarizes the core characteristics of the Mediterranean diet and its benefits in improving physical health. Meanwhile, the paper discusses the prevalence of depression among the elderly and the major influencing factors, including psychological, physiological, and social ones. By analyzing the existing literature, this article explains in detail the positive effect of the Mediterranean diet on the mental health of the elderly and then further develops the possible role of the Mediterranean diet in preventing depression through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. This article summarized the association between depression in the elderly and Mediterranean diet. It could serve as a useful reference for the public health area and support its use as a potential intervention strategy in the prevention of elderly depression.

Keywords

Mediterranean Diet; Depression in the Elderly; Prevention; Mental Health; Antioxidant

References

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