Impact of Mediterranean Diet on Stress Levels: Animal Studies

Introduction to Stress and Diet

Recent research indicates that Americans report some of the highest levels of perceived stress globally, according to the American Physiological Association. Stress adversely affects personal and professional life and heightens the risk of chronic health issues, including heart disease. However, the psychological nature of stress often complicates efforts to alleviate it, as many stressors are unavoidable. Environmental factors, such as a poor diet, can exacerbate overall stress levels. Conversely, a study exploring the relationship between diet and stress suggests that dietary choices may influence stress responses.

The Role of Diet in Stress Management

Diet is a modifiable factor that individuals can control. Prior studies have shown a correlation between high-stress levels and diets rich in saturated fats and simple sugars. In contrast, diets abundant in fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins have been linked to lower stress levels. However, long-term effects of specific dietary patterns on stress responses remain underexplored.

Study Overview: Mediterranean vs. Western Diet

A team of researchers in the United States conducted an animal study involving macaque monkeys to assess the physiological stress responses associated with a Western diet—characterized by high sodium, saturated fats, and animal-derived proteins—compared to a Mediterranean diet, which is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and plant-based fats and proteins. The findings were published in the journal Neurobiology of Stress.

Methodology and Findings

The study involved thirty-eight middle-aged monkeys, which were assigned to either a Western or a Mediterranean diet over a 31-month period, equivalent to approximately nine human years. Researchers examined the impact of chronic stress from low social status and acute stress from social isolation, focusing on the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the “fight or flight” response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (which maintains calm). Key indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels (including cortisol) were measured.

The results indicated that monkeys on a Mediterranean diet exhibited lower sympathetic nervous system activity and demonstrated greater resilience to stress compared to those on a Western diet. Additionally, the Mediterranean diet group showed faster recovery from stress and lower cortisol levels. Despite an overall increase in sympathetic activity over the 31 months, aging of the sympathetic nervous system was slowed in monkeys consuming the Mediterranean diet.

Conclusion and Implications

The findings from this study provide compelling evidence that dietary choices can influence the body’s stress response, which may have significant implications for health. The Mediterranean diet, as explored in this research, presents a potentially simple and cost-effective strategy for reducing stress and enhancing overall health.

References

Shively, C. A., Appt, S. E., Chen, H., Day, S. M., Frye, B. M., Shaltout, H. A., . . . Register, T. C. (2020). Mediterranean diet, stress resilience, and aging in nonhuman primates. Neurobiology of Stress, 13, 100254. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100254

Mediterranean diet helps reduce effects of stress in animal model, study shows. (2020, November 16). Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/wfbm-mdh111620.php

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