Mood And Food: Are They Related? Changes In Diet And Lifestyle For Mental Health

 

You'll be surprised to learn that our brain works day and night, even when we're asleep! Similar to an engine, it must be continuously fed in order for it to function properly. It is nothing but food that you eat. It doesn't matter how much gasoline or diesel you put in a car, it matters what you put in it. You will end up destroying the entire car system if you put diesel in a petrol car.

Similarly, it's important to focus on what you eat. Because not only does it ensure proper functioning of your bodies, but it is also responsible for affecting your mood.

Are you aware of this? We have approximately 2% brain tissue in our bodies. Researchers have shown that if we extract all the water from our brain now, the residual nutrients, like fatty acids, glucose, amino acids, and micronutrients, will determine how we feel.

Could food actually impact our mood? Experts from Desun Hospital, the best dietetics and nutrition clinic siliguri have found that changes in diet affect brain structure both chemically and physiologically, which can lead to a change of mood.

Here's what you need to know about how food affects mood and what you should eat:

Carbohydrates: Are they good or bad?

Carbohydrates are classified into two types: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are easily broken down by our bodies and provide instant energy. These are found in bananas, white rice, potatoes, savoury items, bread, and other foods.

When people talk about carbs being bad for you, they're usually referring to simple carbs, which act like quick-burning fuels. They raise your blood sugar and cause an insulin spike as soon as they enter your body. This is why you feel a sudden burst of energy as per the doctors at dietetics and nutrition clinic siliguri. However, as time passes, the insulin level drops, and you begin to feel sluggish, dizzy, and even irritable.

Consumption of protein

Protein is made up of amino acids that are essential for brain function. Tryptophan and other amino acids are known for biosynthesizing protein and producing melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin regulates our mood, feelings, and happiness, whereas serotonin is regarded as the "feel good" hormone that regulates our mood, feelings, and happiness.

Dopamine and serotonin are positive hormones that might make you feel melancholy, irritable, and aggressive. As a result, it's critical to include protein in your diet. Dietecians at dietetics and nutrition clinic siliguri recommend including protein in every meal in the form of dairy, almonds, legumes, soya, or any type of meat.

Fatty acids that are good for you

Fatty acids have been shown in studies to be beneficial in the treatment of mood disorders such as depression. Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium are abundant in seeds (such as chia, sunflower, and pumpkin), fish, and legumes. They aid in the development of brain cells, memory enhancement, and the production of feel-good chemicals in our bodies.

People who start their day with a cup of coffee, on the other hand, feel instantaneously ready to take on the day. But, in reality, the effects of caffeine wear off over time, leaving your body fatigued and reducing attentiveness by the end of the day. That is why, in the morning, doctors from dietetics and nutrition clinic siliguri recommend eating antioxidant-rich foods like a banana and nuts to give you energy for the entire day!

Final words

All you need to do in order to lead a stress-free life is to adopt simple diet and lifestyle changes. You should start by paying attention to how each food makes you feel. Consider adopting a "clean" diet for two weeks, where you avoid all types of unprocessed food, especially sugar. This will improve your physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Once you've added them gradually to your diet for two weeks, you'll realize that you're better off without them. Have a healthy and happy life!