Traditional diets and mental health
The shift away from traditional lifestyles has been linked
to increased rates of depression and other mental health
disorders [9-11]. Among the variables that might afford
protective or resiliency effects against mental health disorders
(depression in particular), diet has emerged as at least
one strong candidate [12]. Superficially, it would seem obvious,
given the brain’s dependence upon nutrients for its
structure and function (including the micronutrients and
non-nutrient dietary antioxidants, for example polyphenols,
that run the antioxidant defense system) that nutrition
should be a target of research in mental health. Remarkably,
this area of research, now known as nutritional psychiatry,
is one that has been historically neglected or the subject of
poorly designed studies. However, there have been tremendous
strides in recent years and the research connecting
mental health and nutrition has become increasingly robust.
Indeed, a recent 5-year prospective study (n = 23,020)
has shown that unhealthy maternal and early postnatal
dietary patterns (for example, processed and refined foods,
high-sugar beverages, high-sodium snacks) elevate the risk
of behavioral and emotional problems in children [13].
Traditional dietary practices, often exemplified by
Mediterranean and Japanese models, are typically characterized
by (relative to Western practices) higher intakes of
fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, cereals with limited
processing, fiber, and only modest amounts of dairy and
lean meats [14]. A variety of population studies have linked