Diet influences numerous aspects of health, including weight, athletic performance, and risks of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. According to some research, it may affect mental health, too.
We know that the state of our digestion and the trillions of bacteria that inhabit our digestive tract, from mouth to the other end, is key for mental health and for our immune system.
Treating mental health conditions
The research into whether dietary interventions can help treat mental health problems is relatively new and still quite limited. Over 12 weeks, 67 individuals with moderate or severe depression received either dietary counseling or social support in addition to their current treatment. The dietary intervention was similar to a Mediterranean diet, in that it emphasized vegetables, fruits, whole grains, oily fish, extra virgin olive oil, legumes, IV vitamins in Suffolk county, and raw nuts.
It also allowed for moderate amounts of red meat and dairy.
Furthermore, only 8% of individuals in the control group achieved remission, compared with 32% of those in the diet group.
Try these 10 best foods to boost your brainpower
1. Pumpkin Seeds
Zinc is important for the enhancement of thinking and memory skills.
2. Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in vitamin E as compared to other nuts. Vitamin E helps improve analytical abilities in young adults by up to 10% and is considered to boosts brain defenses.
3. Tomatoes
Evidence suggests that lycopene, an antioxidant present in tomatoes can help protect cell damage caused by free radicals. These cell damage mostly occurs in dementia development, in particular, Alzheimer’s.
4. Cocoa
Dark chocolates are shown to help improve cognitive abilities and visual memory. Health scientists credited this benefit to the flavanols present in cocoa, which helps a lot in increasing blood vessel function, in and to the brain.
5. Oily fish
Omega-3 fats occur naturally in oily fish as essential fatty acids (EFAs) and DHA. They are known to be good for healthy brain function.
Good sources of oily fish are trout, salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, kippers, and pilchards. Having a low DHA level has been linked to a higher risk of developing memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Whole Grains
Whole grains are known to be rich in highly complex and slow-burning fiber, which helps to keep your blood sugar balance. Eating whole grains helps you to study much longer and to avoid suffering from brain energy drain.
7. Broccoli
Broccoli is fortified with vitamin K. Vitamin K is known to improve brainpower and enhance cognitive function.
8. Green Tea
Dieticians agree that green tea helps increase brain function. This is because of the catechins and theanine present in green tea.
Catechins are the antioxidants in green tea while theanine is an amino-acid that stimulates the brain naturally to focus better.
9. Blackcurrant
Blackcurrants are considered to be one of the best sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C is considered to greatly help in increasing mental agility.
10. Eggplant
Eggplant is considered to be an antioxidant powerhouse. This is because of the nutrient present in eggplant called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins protect the brain from memory loss.
There are many other good habits that can boost our mind and gut also because a happy mind is a happy gut and vice versa.
Overall, while diet may be an important factor for mental health, it is important to remember that many other aspects of life can also contribute to the mood.
For more gut health, brainpower, and immune support system resources on nutrition, for Virtual Visit Mineola, visit us at www.kristineblanche.com
Dr. Kristine Blanche's health center provides health services in NY like Breast Thermography, Vitamin drips, Holistic health, Healthy detox, liver cleanse, detoxification, Functional medicine, Weight loss, and Nutrition.