EAT YOURSELF HAPPY

Increasing evidence suggests that a microbiome-friendly diet is good for your brain as well as your body

- MICHAEL MOSLEY

The medical profession has taken a long time to accept that what we eat has a big impact not just on our bodies but also on our brains. In fact, one of the earliest studies looking at the impact of food on depression was carried out by Prof Felice Jacka, from the Food and Mood Centre in Melbourne, and she told me it was a real struggle to get patients and to get funding.

For Jacka’s study, 67 patients with moderate or severe depression were randomly allocated to either a Mediterranean-style diet or ‘social support’. Those allocated to the Mediterranean-style diet were asked to eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, fish, and olive oil. They cut back on sweets, refined cereals, fried food, fast food, processed meats, and sugary drinks.