Abstract
The purpose of this randomized, retrospective study was to investigate the possible association among levels of anxiety and depression and functional food consumption frequency, Mediterranean diet adoption and anthropometric indices in a sample of Greek, mainly young, adults. One hundred twenty healthy adults, 80% of whom were 18–35 years old, were randomly recruited from the North Aegean Islands, mainly from the Aegean University campus. The degree of anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X-1,2) whereas the degree of depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Mediterranean diet adherence was evaluated using the Med Diet Score and functional foods consumption frequency by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). According to our results, the study did not show a statistically significant association between Mediterranean diet adherence and anxiety or depression levels (p > 0.05), and a trend association was observed only for the depression grouped score. In parallel, increased depression level was significantly correlated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.019). In addition, the consumption of specific functional foods, such as beans, nuts, pomegranate, spinach and foods enriched with β-glucans, correlated with state-trait anxiety or depression levels, as well as with anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). The results of the study may contribute to the elucidation of the possible role of the Mediterranean diet and functional food consumption on self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Highlights
Nowadays, there is an increased percentage of individuals with anxiety and depression, which are two of the most common mental health diseases globally [1,2,3,4,5]
The results indicated a trend of association of goji berries, cranberries, berries, mountain tea, beans and foods rich in β-glucan with depression (Criterion 1), suggesting a possible positive effect of these functional foods in relation to depression (Table 2)
The results showed statistically significant associations between some functional foods and anthropometric characteristics, especially, foods enriched with vitamins and minerals, broccoli and crumbled vegetables, hippophaes, royal jelly, nutmeg, tea and sage with body mass index (p = 0.008, 0.00, 0.00, 0.017, 0.034 and 0.03, respectively); hippophaes, spirulina and beans with body fat and muscle tissue (p = 0.04, 0.02 and 0.005 for fat, respectively); hippophaes, spirulina, royal jelly, garlic and nutmeg with waist size (p = 0.001, 0.018, 0.023, 0.029 and 0.012, respectively) (Criterion 3, Criterion 4)
Summary
There is an increased percentage of individuals with anxiety and depression, which are two of the most common mental health diseases globally [1,2,3,4,5]. Permanent anxiety is an acquired behavioral predisposition that causes individuals to react with stress and anxiety in non-threatening situations [6,7]. Psychological diseases such as depression and anxiety are extremely common in young people, especially during university life [4]. Various scientific data support the suggestion that mainly young adults with a history of psychological disorders in adolescence have a higher risk of developing anxiety or depression, highlighting the possible protective role of foods against these diseases [8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
