It’s no secret that healthy eating has an impact on your physical health and wellbeing, but did you know that what you eat also affects your mood?
Certain foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and nuts and seeds are great mood boosters as they promote good gut health and assist in the release of the happy hormone, serotonin.
Eat yourself happy by reading on to find out more about how your diet can affect your mood, the importance of gut health and what foods you need to start eating right now!
How your gut impacts your mental health
The benefits of a healthy gut isn’t a new thing, with research showing the gut plays a critical role in both breaking down the foods we consume so our bodies can absorb the essential nutrients, while also having a significant impact on our mental health and general wellbeing. The key to keeping your gut healthy and creating the food-mood link, is to eat foods that support gut health such as regularly consuming a diet filled will fresh produce, fibre, probiotic-rich foods and fermented foods. This helps to create a gut environment filled with good bacteria so you can absorb the food correctly and experience the benefits of the healthy food you’re eating.
A recent study has shown that women who consumed a diet of mostly vegetables, fruit, fish and wholegrain foods were 35% less likely to experience major depression and 32% less likely to experience anxiety disorders than those who eat a diet high in processed foods and sugar. With around 95% of the happy hormone serotonin produced in the gut, it’s no wonder that what we eat has a profound impact on our mental and brain health!
How to eat yourself happy
While many of us reach for that block of chocolate or tub of ice-cream when we’re in need of a pick-me-up, the best foods we can eat for our mental health is fresh
produce such as legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. These foods are a no-brainer as they are high in antioxidants and fibre, as well as B vitamins which are great for energy production. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon have also shown to assist with serotonin release, along with wholegrains like oats, brown rice, barley or buckwheat. Fermented foods are also a great option, with kimchi, kombucha and yoghurt all producing metabolites that influence your immune function and general health.
Ready to start eating yourself to a happier you? Head into your local A Better Choice retailer to shop their wide range of delicious fresh produce!