Fortunately, mental health has now become a more common topic that people talk about often, and do not shy away from.


Many more people have now started to understand mental health, and mental health issues, to conclude that they are more than just overthinking or temporary sadness.

This has become even more important now, as certain mental health disorders, namely depression and anxiety are so common.

With such problems already so widespread, the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns have only added fuel to the fire and made the condition worse due to uncertainty, social isolation, and disconnect from normal life.

World Mental Health Day is observed on the 10th of October, every year. This day aims to raise awareness around mental health issues and reduce the stigma around it.

While trying to treat mental health issues with lifestyle and diet changes alone may not be the right way to go, there is no denying the fact that the food we eat can have a direct impact on our mood, and can thereby reduce the risk of mood disorders, and also accelerate the treatment process.

How Food Affects How You Feel

Food has quite a direct link with your mind, and how you feel. Certain foods increase the production of hormones that boost your mood.

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter helps in the regulation of sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain.

Since 95 per cent of the serotonin in your body is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, it implies that the cells in your GI (gastrointestinal) do not just perform the function of digestion of food, but also guide your emotions.

The production of serotonin is also affected by the presence or absence of the good bacteria in your gut. Not only do they help the body absorb the nutrients, but also act as a link between the gut, and the brain.

Various studies, conducted over time have compared diets that are considered healthy such as the Mediterranean diet, or the traditional Japanese diet, with western diets that seem to be the root cause for obesity.

It was found that the risk of depression is 25-35 per cent lower in people who followed the traditional diets.

Researches believe that the difference could be because of the contents of such diets, and what they restrict in terms of food.

Studies have compared “traditional” diets, like the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical “Western” diet and have shown that the risk of depression is 25% to 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet.

Scientists account for this difference because these traditional diets tend to be high in vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, and fish and seafood, and to contain only modest amounts of lean meats and dairy.

They are also void of processed and refined foods and sugars, which are staples of the “Western” dietary pattern. In addition, many of these unprocessed foods are fermented, and therefore act as natural probiotics.

Foods You Must Add To Your Diet........... Continue Reading..
https://doksblog.com/world-mental-health-day-2020-5-foods-you-must-add-to-your-diet/