Food can effect your mind in subtle ways. Typically, most people only think that food has an effect on your body’s health and physical appearance – it goes further than that. Did you know that there is such a thing as nutritional psychology?
Nutritional psychologists study the link between diet and brain functions. Your brain is like a well-oiled machine. It is the executive and chief of operations for your entire body. With a job like this, your brain needs food to function. Food acts as fuel for the brain, like gasoline for a car.
Would you put low grade fuel in your nice car? The answer to that is probably a big NO. So, why would you consume low quality and low-grade food sources. If you consume low quality food often, both your brain and body will suffer.
High Sugar Diets
Cookies, cakes, pastries, juices, and sweets – all a favorite of many across the world. Your brain is not a big fan though. Excessive sweets and sugars in the diet can lead to inflammation. Multiple research studies in this area found a link between depression and consumption of a high refined sugar diet. It can actually lead to an increased risk of developing mood disorders.
Processed Foods
Scientists found that diets that are high in processed foods, refined sugars, and meats are linked to an increase risk of depression and mood disorders, such as the Western Diet. Whereas diets that are high in fruits, vegetables, unprocessed grains, fish, and other seafood with minimal amount of lean meat and dairy increase the number of healthy bacteria in your gut. Your gut is responsible for the production of neurotransmitters important for the brain. Your gut is responsible for the production of a large portion of serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which alleviates feelings of anxiety and fear.
