Foods To Improve Your Mental Health In 2021
Proper mental health is vital to maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Your mental health determines what you feel, think, and do throughout the day. Adequate mental health is a critical phase in your life, especially during and after puberty. One of the factors that will determine your mental illness is the food you consume on a daily basis. While unhealthy diet causes anxiety and depression, eating a healthy and nutritious diet will prove beneficial treatment for your mental health.
Below is a list of foods that are essential to promote mental stability and improve your mental state!
Seven Foods to Increase Your Mental Health
1. Beans
Since fiber is an essential part of the body and should be consumed on a daily basis, your daily fiber needs can easily be met by including beans in your normal diet. The most preferred fuel for strengthening your brain is glucose as it is essential to its function. By providing enough glucose your brain needs, beans do their job of improving your mental state and avoiding confusing thinking.
2. Greek yogurt
Consuming Greek yogurt daily can really improve your mental health and reduce depression, stress and anxiety to a great extent! Studies have shown that people who eat Greek yogurt on a daily basis are less likely to experience depression and anxiety than people who don't. Consuming probiotics (found in yogurt) on a daily basis has been shown to be very beneficial as it gives your brain mental health.
3. Berries
Studies have shown that berries like blueberries and strawberries help slow your mental health aging by up to 2.5 years. They also benefit your brain by maintaining brain function and delaying cognitive decline. The nutrients in blueberries help strengthen brain cells and increase alertness and focus. Along with all of these benefits, berries also help lower your risk of dementia and reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
4th Leafy vegetables
Regular consumption of leafy vegetables promotes slower mental decline and thereby improves mental stability. Spinach contains vitamin B, vitamin K, vitamin E, L-tyrosine and folic acid, which help improve your memory and stabilize mental focus. Kale contains omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your mental health. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and is full of brain-supporting antioxidants.
5. Whole grains
Research has shown that consuming whole grains balances levels of serotonin, the hormone that stabilizes your mood in your body. Whole grains are high in most of the B vitamins, which help preserve your memory by reducing inflammation in the brain. Whole grains reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by creating proper blood flow through our organ systems, including the brain.
6. Walnuts
Consuming walnuts regularly helps improve mental state as it is one of the highest vegetable sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that when 1/4 cup of walnuts are consumed daily, depression is almost 26% lower. According to various studies, walnuts contribute to better concentration, higher energy levels and greater optimism.
7. Omega-3 fish oil
Using omega-3 fish oil in your foods can prevent or reduce depression and disorders such as bipolar disorder, and improve your mood. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are essential for the normal functioning of the brain throughout life. The omega-3 fatty acids are also known to help prevent psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder.
frequently asked Questions
1. What foods are bad for mental health?
The answer will be junk food and processed meats, pastries, fried foods, and high-fat dairy products.
2. Is milk good for depression?
Yogurt, skimmed milk, low-fat cheese, low-fat ice cream, and other dairy products high in protein and calcium help fight depression and other benefits.
3. Is rice good for depression?
Try to consume healthy carbohydrates such as Brown rice and Whole wheat bread as it ensures mood stability and drastically reduces depression and anxiety.