Feeding the Mind: The Systematic Review on the Impact of MediterraneanDiet on Mental Well-being

Introduction: A significant part of the global population faces mental health issues, substantially adding to the worldwide disease burden. Despite advanced therapies, these disorders remain prevalent and difficult to manage. This systematic review examines how a Mediterranean- inspired diet affects psychological well-being, contrasting it with other diets associated with negative mental health effects due to a high intake of processed foods and sugars. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify a wide range of peer-reviewed literature. The search was restricted to English-language publications, and the process was carried out across several scholarly databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search was conducted on studies published within the last five years, covering the period from June 4, 2019, to August 14, 2023, to ensure the inclusion of the most pertinent and current research. Results: A total of 692 articles were initially identified through various databases, with an additional five articles manually retrieved from other databases. After removing 299 duplicate entries, 398 articles remained for screening based on their titles and abstracts. This screening resulted in the exclusion of 323 articles due to predefined exclusion criteria. Subsequently, 75 full-text articles were evaluated, and 62 studies were eliminated for various reasons. Ultimately, 13 articles were chosen for further review. Discussion: The Mediterranean diet, rich in omega-3s, polyphenols, and antioxidants, supports mental health by reducing inflammation, improving neurotransmitter function, and balancing gut microbiota, lowering depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. In contrast, the Western diet is associated with higher psychological distress and poorer cognition. Conclusion: The Mediterranean diet greatly improves mental health by alleviating depression and anxiety, and enhancing cognitive performance. Encouraging this diet offers an effective, evidence-based strategy for supporting mental well-being.