Mediterranean Diet Brain Benefits: Lower Risk Of ADHD Linked To Healthy Eating Plan

A new study examining children has discovered a potential link between diet and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

Researchers studied 120 participants between the ages of 6 and 16 from Spain, according to Medical Xpress, and found that kids who didn't closely follow the traditional Mediterranean diet were seven times more likely to have the condition, "a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development," according to the National Institute of Mental Health. 

Read: The Mediterranean Diet And Brain Health: Prevent Loss Of Brain Volume As You Age

Half of the study participants had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers from the University of Barcelona in Spain asked all children to report typical meals and compared who was diagnosed with the condition to how well they followed the Mediterranean diet.

"This is the type of diet that's recommended for everyone, for their overall health," Richard Gallagher — an associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Child Study Center, and who wasn’t involved in the study — told HealthDay. The eating regimen typically includes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, beans, rice, fish, dairy, and poultry.

The Mediterranean diet is high in omega-3s, which are currently a hot topic for scientists and could potentially offer a slew of health benefits. Previous studies have already linked the fatty acids to a lower risk of ADHD, HealthDay reported.

Read: Mediterranean Diet Benefits The Human Brain Thanks To Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fruits And Vegetables

This is the second study suggesting that closely following the Mediterranean diet may improve brain power and focus. 

Earlier this month, a study was published in the journal Neurology reporting that people who followed the Mediterranean diet retained more brain volume over a three-year period, Medical Daily previously reported. Declining brain mass is a natural part of aging.

Source: Ríos-Hernández A, Alda JA, Farran-Codina A, Ferreira-García E, Izquierdo-Pulido M. The Mediterranean Diet and ADHD in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2017.