Life is getting more and more hectic as time goes on. Everyone is trying to balance their work-life and social life, all the while trying to stay fit and trying to get enough sleep. Sounds pretty normal right? What could go wrong? Well, the only flaw in most people’s daily regimen is that with all the stress of living a perfectly healthy life, mental health often goes unchecked and ignored.
Some of you may think, “But I meditate regularly!” or “My therapist says we are making progress!”
Keeping your brain healthy is not just about meditating and venting out your feelings every now and then. All that does not protect your brain from fatigue and the effects of aging. Your brain needs the correct nutrition to keep functioning properly.
8 Food Items That Tend To Your Mental Health
1. Nuts
Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, all of these are great for munching on in your leisure time. But you know what else they are great for? Your mental health! Nuts have antioxidant properties, vitamin B6 and magnesium, all of which increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, resulting in a more active brain.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics. That makes it great for keeping the gut healthy. What most people did not know is that the same reason also makes it great for keeping our mind healthy as well. Probiotics are highly effective against mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. So if you have not already added it to your everyday diet, it is not too late to do it now!
3. Berries
Any kind of berry, be it strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, is simply packed with antioxidants. And as mentioned earlier, antioxidants help increase the supply of oxygen to the brain. Moreover, they aid in combating inflammation, and the polyphenol compound present in strawberries and blueberries helps improve memory and concentration.
4. Dark Chocolate
The vast majority of people eat chocolate religiously. And who can blame them? It is simply delicious. Those who eat dark chocolate on a regular basis, specifically that with 85% cocoa or more, are doing a massive favour to their brain. Cocoa contains antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation and prevent cell damage. It also increases the release of serotonin in your body, making you feel happy!
5. Olive Oil
If you use olive oil for cooking, bravo! Olive oil, or extra virgin olive oil, to be precise, contains polyphenols that help fight against the effects of proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease, as well as reducing the progression of aging, cognitive impairment, and short-term memory loss.
6. Avocados
Let’s be honest; avocados are not the most popular food in the world. While people know about it being the main ingredient in guacamole, it is not commonly consumed by the masses apart from countries like Spain, South and Central America. This fruit is a good dose of vitamin K and folate, preventing stroke risk and protecting your overall mental health.
7. Oily Fishes
Everyone knows that oily fish is for keeping your eyes healthy, but did you know that it does the same thing for the brain? Salmon, prawns, and trout are packed with omega 3 fatty acid that aids in improving memory, and boosts overall mental health by stimulating communication between brain cells and preserving the health of the cell membrane.
It has also been proven to fight against mental health issues such as schizophrenia and depression.
8. Beans
Beans and legumes like lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas contain thiamine, a vitamin that is essential for the production of acetylcholine which is necessary for good memory. Beans also keep your blood sugar stable and enable you to burn more energy, which is beneficial for preserving mental health.
You are what you eat, and the proper diet and nutrition will keep you in a sound and healthy mind for years to come. Keep a list or a chart in order to ensure that you incorporate these superfoods into your daily diet. Your healthy brain will be grateful that you did so.
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