Adherence to the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet and depression, stress, and anxiety: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental disorders that contribute significantly to global disability. While the MIND diet has demonstrated benefits in preventing Alzheimer's disease, its potential impact on mental health outcomes remains unclear. This study systematically reviews evidence on the association between adherence to the MIND diet and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to August 2025 to identify observational and interventional studies examining the relationship between the MIND diet and depression, anxiety, or stress. Twenty one eligible studies-including eleven cross-sectional designs-were included. RESULTS: Of the 21 studies, twelve reported a significant inverse association between adherence to the MIND diet and depression symptoms, seven found similar associations with anxiety, and three with stress. However, findings were inconsistent, likely due to heterogeneity in study design, assessment tools, and populations. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that greater adherence to the MIND diet may be associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, but the overall quality and consistency of the evidence are limited. Well-designed longitudinal and clinical trials are needed to confirm these potential benefits.