Your mind is continuously functioning whether you are awake or asleep and therefore you have to boost your mental health with a proper diet. According to the 2017 research article, published by Cambridge University, diet plays an important role in wellbeing and mental health. Researchers also state that eating unhealthy food can cause depression and anxiety that can also lead to the consumption of alcohol and drugs.
What are the best foods for your mental health? To find an answer to this question I contacted the certified psychiatrist in Lahore with the help of my friend. Mental health is one of the main diseases that is affecting a large population all over the world. According to the WHO statistics currently, 450 million people are suffering from mental disorders.
7 Best Food for Improving Mental Health and Wellness
Nutrients play an important role in improving your mental health. Foods that are best for your mental health includes leafy green vegetables, beans, walnuts, whole grains, yogurt, berries, and fatty fish. How do these foods play a role in mental health? Let’s read about this in detail below.
1. Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables include important nutrients that help you to cope with any mental health issue. Nutrients like folic acid and vitamin B can be obtained from leafy green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, romaine, and turnip. All of these nutrients are helpful for reducing depression, insomnia, and fatigue.
Therefore be like Popeye and add leafy green vegetables in your diet.
2. Beans
Besides leafy green vegetables, you can also eat beans. Beans are a rich source of fiber and antioxidants and therefore it helps in maintaining the blood sugar level in the body. It is also helpful for those who want to lose some unhealthy weight.
Folate and vitamin B in the beans are helpful for improving blood circulation and mental health.
3. Walnuts
Do you ever notice the shape of walnuts? They are like brains however that’s not the only reason behind their importance. Walnuts are a rich source of antioxidants that contribute to mental health. Besides this, walnuts are also responsible for the growth of new brain cells.
Therefore add up these important ingredients in your daily meal routine.
4. Wholegrains
Whole grains contain tryptophan which is responsible for releasing the happy hormones in your mind. This hormone will also be responsible for calming the mind and maintaining better sleep. Besides this, whole grains are also rich in protein, fiber, and vitamin B. All of these nutrients are helpful for improving the health of the mind and heart. Not only that, but these nutrients also protect you from diabetes and cancer.
5. Yogurt
Yogurt is the best for your stomach and mental health. It contains friendly bacteria that helps in improving the digestion. Do you know there is a connection between your gut and brain? The same bacteria that helps in digestion also helps in improving mental health. Therefore yogurt is helpful for fighting against depression and anxiety.
6. Berries
Berries are also a rich source of antioxidants. All berries are helpful for improving mental health. Therefore you can eat strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Blueberries are my favorite and I always eat them with yogurt. The antioxidants in the berries are helpful in repairing the brain cells which also aids in lowering the anxiety and depression.
7. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in boosting mental health by reducing depression and anxiety. Fish supplements will also have the same impact on your mind therefore in case you don’t like eating fish you can also use such supplements after consulting with the right doctor.
Foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids are salmon, trout, and prawns.
Summing Up
Mental health is important and to promote good mental health you have to eat healthy food. Foods that are rich in vitamin B, folic acid, and omega 3 fatty acids are helpful for lowering depression and anxiety. Therefore eat above-mentioned food and keep your mind healthy.
Eating healthy alone is not going to help you. That’s why you also have to give up some bad habits like alcohol consumption. Moreover, fish supplements are not suitable for everyone and it may cause an allergic reaction. Therefore consult with the right doctor before using any supplements.
