Summary: A new longitudinal analysis of 3,296 adults aged 50 to 90 found that strong adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet predicts higher long-term psychological well-being. Benefits appeared across core quality-of-life domains—autonomy, self-realization, life satisfaction and sense of purpose—and persisted even during the collective stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers report a notable buffering effect during the pandemic: while lockdowns and social restrictions provoked widespread declines in emotional health, older participants who consistently followed a Mediterranean dietary pattern experienced substantially smaller drops in well-being.
Key Facts
- Focus on Positive Well‑Being: Unlike many studies that measure only the absence of illness, this research assessed positive psychological well-being using validated questionnaires that capture four dimensions: control, autonomy, pleasure, and self‑realization.
- Independent of Socioeconomic and Mental Health Status: The association between Mediterranean dietary adherence and higher eudaimonic well‑being remained significant after adjusting for income, education, and pre-existing depressive symptoms.
- Pandemic Resilience: Data collected before and during the early months of COVID‑19 show that those with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet experienced smaller declines in well‑being during the crisis, indicating a protective relationship under real‑world stress.
- Biological Plausibility: Although this is an observational study and cannot prove causation, investigators note that Mediterranean diet components—polyphenols, omega‑3 fatty acids, fiber and other nutrients—are linked to reduced systemic inflammation, improved gut microbiome health, moderated stress hormone responses and enhanced brain plasticity.
- Policy Implications: The authors highlight nutritional psychiatry as an emerging public health priority and recommend policies that promote plant‑forward, minimally processed diets and limit processed meats and refined sugars to support mental resilience in ageing populations.
Source: ISGLOBAL
Following a Mediterranean diet may offer mental health advantages. New research links this eating pattern to greater psychological well‑being among people over 50.
This study reflects a collaboration between University College London and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and is published in BMJ Open.
Decades of research have already shown that a Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil—protects against physical decline and lowers the risk of disorders such as depression. This new study advances the evidence by examining how such a diet relates to positive mental states, not just the absence of mental illness.
Positive psychological well‑being in the study was defined by questions about independence, enjoyment of life, sense of purpose, energy and outlook for the future. Results indicate that the benefits of a Mediterranean dietary pattern for well‑being are detectable regardless of depressive symptoms or socioeconomic background.
The researchers analyzed data from 3,296 participants aged 50–90 who are part of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Dietary intake was assessed in 2018–2019 using detailed 24‑hour recall reports gathered on two non‑consecutive days. Psychological well‑being was measured with standardized questionnaires administered up to twice between 2018 and 2020, permitting both cross‑sectional and longitudinal evaluation.
Protection against the mental health effects of COVID‑19
ELSA data show that the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic and related restrictions produced a measurable decline in emotional well‑being across older adults. Importantly, the fall in well‑being was significantly smaller among those scoring highest for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, suggesting the diet may have offered some resilience against pandemic‑related psychological stress.
Lead authors and co‑authors caution that the observational design prevents firm causal claims. Still, repeated measurements over time strengthen confidence in a real association. The plausible biological pathways include anti‑inflammatory effects, modulation of the gut microbiome, regulation of stress hormone responses and support for neural health and plasticity—mechanisms consistent with improved mood and higher energy.
“This study adds to growing evidence that what we eat is closely linked to how we feel,” said co‑author Alanna Shand. First author Andrew Steptoe emphasizes the practical message: promoting balanced, plant‑based diets and limiting processed foods and added sugars should be an integral part of public health strategies to preserve mental independence in older age.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Nutrients common in Mediterranean diets—omega‑3s from fish and polyphenols from olive oil—support brain and gut health. They help dampen inflammation, support a balanced gut microbiome that contributes to mood regulation, and protect neural function. These biological effects can translate into greater energy, clearer thinking and a more positive outlook, which contribute to feelings of autonomy and purpose.
A: Earlier studies often focused on preventing negative outcomes like depression. This analysis specifically measured positive psychological well‑being—autonomy, self‑realization, pleasure and life satisfaction—showing that a Mediterranean pattern not only reduces risk but may actively enhance thriving in later life.
A: The study found that people who closely followed the Mediterranean diet experienced a smaller decline in well‑being during the COVID‑19 lockdowns. The hypothesized reason is that a diet rich in anti‑inflammatory and microbiome‑supporting foods makes biological systems—particularly those involved in stress and mood regulation—more resilient to severe environmental stressors.
Editorial Notes
- Article edited by a neuroscience news editor.
- Journal paper reviewed in full.
- Additional context provided by editorial staff.
About this diet and psychology research news
Author: Èlia Pons
Source: ISGlobal
Contact: Èlia Pons – ISGlobal
Image credit: Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access. “Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and psychological wellbeing before and during the COVID‑19 pandemic: a prospective analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing” by Alanna Jo Shand, Andrew Steptoe, Camille Lassale. BMJ Open. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-109599
Abstract
Title: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and psychological wellbeing before and during the COVID‑19 pandemic: a prospective analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Objectives: Prior work links Mediterranean‑style diets to lower depression risk, but evidence on positive psychological states is limited. This study tested whether Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with higher positive well‑being among older adults in England in 2018/2019 and whether it predicted better maintenance of well‑being during the early months of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Design: Prospective observational cohort analysis.
Setting: Population study of adults aged 50 and older in England.
Participants: 3,296 ELSA participants (46% men), mean age 68.2 years, who completed a dietary module in 2018/2019 assessing adherence with a relative Mediterranean Diet Index (rMED).
Outcome Measures: Psychological well‑being assessed with the CASP‑12 questionnaire at baseline (2018/2019) and during the early phase of the COVID‑19 pandemic (2020).
Results: Cross‑sectional analyses showed higher rMED scores were associated with greater psychological well‑being (β=0.054, p<0.001), independent of depressive symptoms, socioeconomic factors and health behaviors. Longitudinal analyses found higher Mediterranean adherence predicted smaller declines in well‑being during the early pandemic (β=0.026, p=0.042), after accounting for baseline well‑being and COVID‑19 infection experience.
Conclusions: Greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with higher psychological well‑being among older adults and with greater resilience during a period of societal stress. These findings support public health strategies that promote Mediterranean‑style dietary patterns to foster both physical and mental well‑being in ageing populations.