In a recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers have found that eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, and nuts is good for your physical and mental health. The so-called Mediterranean diet has reportedly been proven to minimize chronic illnesses and even lower mortality rate.

To see just how this diet impacts health, researchers recorded the dietary intake data of 11,000 university students at the beginning of the study. Fruits, vegetables, and fish were valued positively while meat, alcohol, and dairy products were valued negatively. After four years, results showed that those who followed the Mediterranean diet scored higher on the quality of life questionnaire, which measured physical and mental well-being compared to those who didn’t.

While the diet’s process of improving health is not as clear as the benefits, the study authors believe that it is still a good food model to follow. To get you started, researchers suggest that main meals should never be without cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Moderate helpings of fish, lean meat, and eggs are fine. Drink two liters of water each day, and keep consumption of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum. For more information, consult your doctor.

(Photo by Alpha via Flickr Creative Commons)