Mediterranean Diet May Help Reduce Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescents, Study Finds

Following a Mediterranean-style diet during adolescence may be associated with lower levels of anxiety, while maternal adherence to the same dietary pattern during pregnancy could have lasting benefits for children's mental health, according to a study published in Nutrients.

Mediterranean diet linked to adolescent mental health

Adolescence is a period marked by significant biological, psychological, and social changes that can increase vulnerability to emotional distress and anxiety disorders. Because these conditions often persist into adulthood, researchers continue to explore lifestyle factors that may support mental well-being during this critical stage of development.

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and fish, has previously been associated with better mental health and a lower risk of depression in adults. However, evidence in children and adolescents has been less consistent.

The new study examined whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet during adolescence, as well as maternal adherence during pregnancy, was associated with anxiety symptoms, behavioral difficulties, and mood-related outcomes in early adolescence.

KLOTHO cohort provides long-term data

The research was conducted as part of the KLOTHO birth cohort, which investigates how early-life factors influence long-term health outcomes. The study included 86 adolescents whose adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using a validated dietary index. Maternal dietary habits during pregnancy were evaluated through food-frequency questionnaires.

Participants’ mental health was measured using standardized and validated assessment tools.

Stronger adherence associated with lower anxiety

Researchers found moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet among both mothers and adolescents. Overall, adolescents demonstrated low-to-moderate behavioral difficulties and relatively low levels of depressive symptoms.

The analysis showed that adolescents who more closely followed the Mediterranean diet reported lower levels of social anxiety and separation anxiety. Higher adherence was also associated with lower overall anxiety scores.

A similar pattern was observed among adolescents whose mothers had followed a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy, suggesting that prenatal nutrition may have long-term effects on emotional health.

Lifestyle factors also play an important role

When researchers adjusted for factors such as sex, body mass index, sleep duration, and physical activity, the relationship between adolescent diet and overall anxiety was no longer statistically significant. This finding suggests that sleep and physical activity may partly influence the observed benefits.

However, adherence to the Mediterranean diet during adolescence remained independently associated with lower levels of specific anxiety symptoms, particularly social phobia and separation anxiety. Maternal adherence during pregnancy also remained linked to lower overall anxiety levels in offspring after adjustment for these factors.

The researchers emphasized that the observed effects were relatively modest and should be interpreted cautiously.

Current diet may matter more than prenatal exposure

According to the findings, adolescents’ current eating habits showed more consistent associations with anxiety symptoms than maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy. Researchers suggest this may be because the adolescent brain continues to undergo significant development and remains highly responsive to environmental influences, including nutrition.

At the same time, the authors noted that family and environmental factors may contribute to similarities between maternal and adolescent dietary habits.

Possible biological explanations

Several mechanisms may explain the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and anxiety. The diet provides nutrients important for brain function, including omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, polyphenols, and antioxidants.

These compounds may help regulate neurotransmitter activity and reduce inflammation, both of which have been linked to anxiety. In addition, the Mediterranean diet may promote a healthier gut microbiome, potentially influencing mental health through the gut-brain axis.

Although the findings suggest that healthy eating habits, together with sufficient sleep and regular physical activity, may help reduce certain anxiety symptoms during adolescence, the researchers stress that the study cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Further long-term and interventional studies will be needed to confirm the findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms.