Latest News

WHICH EATING HABITS CAN IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 IST
WHICH EATING HABITS CAN IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?

The reality is that a lot of factors affecting our mental health are things that we cannot control. But one of the things we can control is our eating habits. A number of studies have confirmed that eating habits can change our moods – both positively and negatively. Today we will be looking at some food items that are proven to improve mental health.

 
 

EAT POSITIVE
Research has shown that the amount of vegetables and fruits we eat is associated with our happiness. For instance, one study discovered that on days people ate more vegetables and fruits, their mental health was better in comparison to days when they did not eat much of them. Additionally, eating healthy for a day usually made them happier the following day as well even if they did not get to eat as healthy on that day.
 
At the same time, other researchers have shown that these colorful eating habits are associated with more positive moods, like having a more fulfilling sense of meaning and purpose, as well as more curiosity and creativity. The relationship is also apparently linear – this means the more one eats them, the better their mental health is.
 
Vegetables and fruits are storehouses of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The chemical messengers that are associated with mood regulation are protected and enriched by these substances. As a result, they can communicate more effectively.
 
So, you might want to increase your produce intake during meals. Perhaps you can even have a vegetable or a fruit as one of your everyday snacks.
 
OMEGA-3, WATER, AND MAGNESIUM
Omega-3 fats are found in seafood and some plant foods as well like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Omega-3 fats are known for reducing brain inflammation and are known to improve mental health if they are regularly eaten. For instance, a study covering 26,000 adults and their eating habits found that those who eat walnuts daily had a higher chance of having increased optimism, greater energy levels, as well as more interest in activities. Another one discovered that walnuts caused young men’s moods to significantly improve even if they did not have depression symptoms. Although the study is inconclusive, researchers suggest that the improvement might be because of walnuts’ ALA content.
 
Secondly, drinking water can also help in improving mental health. A study showed that increasing the water intake of people who usually drank less led to significant improvements in their mood. This included less sleepiness and more energy. A different research found that not drinking enough water can cause concentration problems as well as increased anxiety and tension. 20% of our daily water requirement usually comes from other food items like watery vegetables, soups, etc. Drinking one glass of water after every meal is a good habit.
 
Magnesium is another mineral that is tied to stress and better mental health in general. Low levels have been associated with feeling tired, sleep disorders, irritability, aggression, confusion, nervousness, and anxiousness. Magnesium is associated with regulating your physical response to stress. Hence, these symptoms come naturally from a magnesium imbalance. However, a low intake of magnesium is extremely prevalent. Studies indicate that as many as 70% of the population do not meet the target.
 
 

 
 

If your diet consists of heavily processed foods then it is likely why your magnesium intake is low. The manufacturing of processed foods usually removes most of the magnesium. Magnesium insufficiency is also difficult to detect. Seeds and nuts, pulses, whole grains, and leafy greens should be introduced in your eating habits to boost your natural magnesium intake.
 
IN CONCLUSION
Having healthy eating habits can go a long way in bettering your mental health. Similarly, eating habits like excessive caffeine, red meat, processed foods, alcohol, and sugar have all been shown to worsen mental health. Let us know how many of them are included in your eating habits, and if they help!

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
Here is the full list of 827 porn websites banned by the DoT

While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content. ...

Recently posted . 61K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Class XII Boys Raped 16-Year-old in Dehradun School After Watching Porn on Phone: Police

The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...

Recently posted . 8K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Sept 27,2001 Rahul Gandhi and his girl friend Veronique,was arrested in Logan airport in Boston

Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million. Rahul and his girl friend was th...

Recently posted . 7K views . 7 min read
 

 Article
TOP 10 GYM EQUIPMENT BRANDS IN INDIA 2017

True – Tr...

Recently posted . 6K views . 83 min read
 

 
 

More in Food & Health

 Article
Goa by-election results: Goa Chief Minister Mohan Parrikar wins Panaji seat by a margin of 4,803 votes

Panaji: Former union defence minister and current Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday enlisted a pounding triumph in Goa get together bye-election from th...

Recently posted. 835 views . 18 min read
 

 Article
CBSE Class 12 political science exam 2018 analysis: We will score well, say students after ‘easy’ paper

CBSE Class 12 Political science exam analysis: Students in Bhopal were happy with the direct questions, which they said were from National Council of Educational Re...

Recently posted. 637 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Increase SC, ST and OBC representation: Govt pushes for faculty quota in IIMs.

Pushing once again for faculty reservations in IIMs, the Human Resource Development ministry (HRD) has written to all the campuses asking them to increase ...

Recently posted. 587 views . 20 min read
 

 Reviews
Top CBSE schools in Noida



Recently posted . 1K views . 88 min read
 

 Article
Charges framed against Sunny Deol, Karisma Kapoor in 22-year-old chain pulling case

Actors challenge order through a revision petition in a sessions court

Recently posted. 543 views . 0 min read
 

 Article
Goa casinos: Entry for locals banned from this weekend

• Goans will be banned from entering casinos from February 1 • Gaming Commission ...

Recently posted. 740 views . 1 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.
Katharine Whitehorn

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top