Once again, we dedicate an article to the importance of our mental health! The fact is that there are many people unaware that our mental health is something that requires patience and time. As a result of this, 14.8 million American adults, ages 18 and older, are treated for major depression each year.[1] 40 million American adults, 18 and older, are treated for an anxiety disorder yearly.[2] The number of mental health mental health cases is growing with each day. Having these facts in mind, we look at eight food suggestions that should relieve some of the most common mental health symptoms. You should always remember that the fight does not stop as soon as you take your medications—you need healthy foods too!
How Does Your Diet Help With Your Mental Health?
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health confirmed the relationship between the diet and the mental health after investigating its effects among children and adolescents. The study stated that children and adolescents who have poor diet early in life have a greater risk of developing some mental health illness, most commonly depression or anxiety. You can see from this why proper nutrition is so important for our mental health to develop in the right way, reducing the risk of mental health concerns.
A proper diet with all of the needed nutrients will help you normalize your body, lessoning mental health symptoms. Plus, a lot of the mental health illnesses have been triggered by a deficiency of some key nutrients, so by replacing it you will remove any trace of the symptoms in no time!
The 7 foods that should be on your plate
The following 8 foods will help you create the best diet plan that will help you fight the symptoms of whatever mental health illness you have been diagnosed with!
Berries – Choose from strawberries, raspberries or blueberries to gain vitamin C and antioxidants. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences showed that Vitamin C helps control cortisol levels in your body. Cortisol is an important stress hormone. It can help activate your fight-or-flight responses during an stressful event; however, too much of it in everyday life can have health consequences, as stress is a common trigger for a lot of mental problems. By controlling the cortisol levels by eating berries, you will decrease stress and the risk of further symptoms!
Fish – Choose any fish to gain omega-3 fatty acids. They have been confirmed to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, a common mental illness.
Dark chocolate – This is yet another great food option that will help you regulate stress levels by controlling the cortisol levels in your body. Plus, dark chocolate will increase the levels of endorphins so your mood will naturally improve in no time and you will be able to forget about depression and its symptoms!
Whole grains – This is a great source of carbohydrates, which improve the production of serotonin and tryptophan which usually are affected by the mental illness and as a result to the symptoms of depression and anxiety occur.
Turkey – Turkey is the perfect source of natural proteins that are essential for the body to create serotonin. It also has tryptophan, which is a good sleep inducer.
Green Tea – Not only is it filled with antioxidants, but green tea also contains an amino acid known as theanine. Theanine has been confirmed to help patients with depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances!
Turmeric – Turmeric has been used for ages as a delicious spice in meals, but have you thought to use it to fight your depression? Turmeric has been confirmed to help relieve the symptoms of depression by improving your mood!
Conclusion
Try these 7 foods, which are some of the best brain foods there are and notice a reduction in symptoms. Sure, the changes may take time, but soon enough you will start noticing the difference as you start your new and improved everyday life!
Food Image Credit: Unsplash.com
Featured photo credit: goodhousekeeping.com via google.com
