The Regulation of Depression by the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern: Targeting the Gut Brain Axis

Depression has become one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting approximately 300 million people. Many factors can trigger depression, including social, psychological, and biological factors. The existing treatment methods for depression have certain limitations, and the rise of nutritional psychiatry plays a crucial role in treating mental illnesses. The Mediterranean diet has attracted widespread attention due to its high content of dietary fiber, polyphenols, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and intestinal barrier-enhancing effects. The substances contained in its grains and olive oil have prebiotic-like effects, which can promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and improve the intestinal microbiota. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional pathway (neural, endocrine, and immune pathways) between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Adhering to a Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of depression. This article focuses on the gut-brain axis and systematically introduces how the Mediterranean diet improves the occurrence of depression by regulating gut microbiota and protecting intestinal function.