5 Facts on How Your Eating Habits Contribute to Your Mental Health

One does not have to be a food scientist in order to realize that a delicate relationship exists between the human brain and digestive system, i.e. that the latter has a substantial impact on our emotions and mental wellbeing.

True enough, the millions of “good” bacteria found in the GI tract play a major role in maintaining the appropriate chemical balance in our brains. The formula is simple enough: eating high-quality foods promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn has a positive effect on our mental health. Conversely, eating low-quality foods has a negative effect on the gut microbiome, which can negatively affect our moods and emotions as well.

That is why maintaining a diet rich in healthful nutrients can, among other things, aid in reducing the occurrence of mood swings, help you have a better outlook in general, and also bolster better focus and energy levels.

Continue reading to learn more about how your diet can influence your mental health.

Too Much Sugar in General

We’re all guilty of indulging in too much sugar from time to time — however, if you tend to eat sugar-packed foods every day, keep in mind that this delicious ingredient is thought to be a key cause of inflammation as it feeds the harmful bacteria in our GI tract.

Additionally, although sugar can result in a brief increase in dopamine and bolster other feel-good neurotransmitters, the result is just a brief sugar high that is quickly followed by a severe and abrupt drop in your mood.

On the other hand, maintaining a diet high in healthful nutrients through food or supplements (which can be ordered from any online pharmacy nowadays) will help you experience fewer mood swings and contribute to a happier worldview overall.

Depression

No single kind of eating regimen has ever been proven to effectively treat depression. However, a healthy and balanced diet may definitely contribute to overall treatment of depression symptoms.

For instance, the amino acid tryptophan, which is present in foods like chicken, turkey, and tuna, can facilitate the production of serotonin in the body. Additionally, eating meals that are high in protein several times per week (especially on days when you’re feeling particularly depleted emotionally) can contribute to alleviating negative emotions. Excellent sources of lean protein include beans and peas, cheese, lean beef, poultry, fish, and fermented dairy products.

Fatigue

What you eat can have a significant impact on your energy levels, even to the point of causing chronic fatigue, especially when combined with an overall lack of sleep.

It is true that frequently consuming too few or too many carbohydrates can contribute to feelings of exhaustion. This occurs because meals high in carbohydrates, such as pizza, pasta, and other kinds of junk food are the primary drivers of blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes caused by simple carbs have a tendency to suddenly and heavily plummet, pulling your energy levels down with them.

Maintaining a well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein is essential to warding off exhaustion. Additionally, if you’re feeling extra fatigued, occasional IV boost UK treatments can enhance your overall wellness by increasing your energy levels, improving depression symptoms, and lessening anxiety, as well as boosting your cognitive ability.

Stress

By assisting in the regulation of your cortisol levels, a balanced diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can help you become better equipped to handle stressful situations. These omega-3 acids can be found in nuts, seeds, fish and plant oils such as soybean oil and flaxseed oil.

Additionally, the best way to ensure a steady supply of serotonin is to cut out simple carbs and consume complex carbohydrates, which take longer to digest. Oatmeal and whole-grain flour are some common examples of complex carbohydrates.

Brain Fog

Eating high-quality foods that improve your brain performance, such as blueberries, wild salmon, and dark chocolate, can definitely have a positive impact on your overall ability to concentrate. Similarly, avoiding processed foods that make you feel mentally drained will do wonders for your ability to think clearly and effectively at work, in class, or in your personal life.

In general, our daily food intake is closely correlated with our problem-solving abilities, so try to get your diet in check if you notice that you are feeling lethargic during the day and are having trouble handling simple chores that call for extended periods of concentration.

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