The idea that food affects our mood is easy to accept, but what about food-induced stress? A study at Binghamton University in New York suggests consuming a traditional Western diet is linked to perceived stress and mental distress, while components of the Mediterranean Diet are associated with lower levels of those types of stress. It notes the Med diet is mainly plant-based with healthy fats in contrast to the Western diet known for concentrations of high glycemic and processed foods. Authors of the study in the journal Nutrition and Health say their work closes a gap in research because the majority of studies on diet and stress focus on how stress affects food choices instead of the other way around.