Diet has a significant influence on our health, and this also applies to our psyche and well-being. A ketogenic diet has been proven to strengthen mental health, improve mood and relieve cognitive and emotional stress.
A research team from Northumbria University has examined the effects of the ketogenic diet on mental health and found significant benefits. The corresponding study results are published in the specialist magazine “Nutrition”.
Physical and psychological benefits
The ketogenic diet has already been associated with numerous health benefits in previous studies, but so far the research has particularly focused on the positive effects on physical health, reports the team.
However, individual studies have already suggested that a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet also helps against Alzheimer's and that the ketogenic diet can alleviate mental illnesses.
Impact on mental health examined
The researchers explain that it is important to take the holistic effects of the ketogenic diet into account, i.e. the physiological and psychological effects.
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In two cohorts with a total of 423 participants, the experts examined possible connections between the ketogenic diet and various aspects of mental health, including calm, satisfaction, alertness, cognitive and emotional stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness.
How does the psyche benefit?
It was found that people who followed a ketogenic diet were less anxious and depressed compared to people who preferred other diets, the research team reports.
Cognitive and emotional stress was also lower in people who followed a ketogenic diet and they felt less lonely.
Overall, the ketogenic diet was associated with higher mental and emotional well-being and the results show that this diet can have psychological benefits for the general population, the researchers concluded. (fp)
