EATING like a caveman could prevent depression and illness, according to Paleo Meat-Up Hay, a group based in the border town that meet monthly to discuss their prehistoric predilections.

The ‘Paleo’ movement – wildly popular in the US – centres on the simple notion that we should eat food for which we are genetically adapted for.

This means meat, veggies, and fish are all okay, but we should avoid anything processed; in other words, sticking to the kind of diet cavemen would have eaten thousands of years ago.

And, with recent research suggesting depression can be treated as a metabolic disease, paleo people suggest eating like our ancestors may help mental, as well as physical, wellbeing.

Tess Stabb, Paleo Meat-Up Hay's founder, said: “Nutrition is often overlooked but may prove to be the next big breakthrough in the treatment of mental health issues.”

Paleo Meat-Up Hay is the first group of its kind to be set up in the UK outside of London, and hosts informal meetings for those interested in Paleo or ‘Ancestral Health’.

On Friday (July 4) nutrition coach a leading speaker on ancestral health Owen Raybould will be talking to the group at Cusop village hall, starting at 7pm.

Mr Raybould has worked with mental health charities MIND and Depression Alliance to create nutritional treatments for depression.

Ms Stabbb will also give a introductory talk on paleo living – looking at how we can learn from our ancestors diet, but also their sleeping and moving patterns – with a Q and A session to follow with both speakers.

Paleo Meat-Up Hay meet on the first Friday of every month for lectures, films, restaurant visits or exercise sessions.

The meeting are open to everyone but ask for a suggested donation of £3; for more information, please email info@pastpresentpaleo.com or call 01874 624696.