- Harika Reddy
Intern, Mind Splatters, July-Aug 2023
Nutrition's role in the management of mental health issues is a rising area of research that has received more attention in recent years. Nutrition is important for general health, and its impact on mental health is becoming more widely recognized. According to research, the foods we eat and the nutrients they contain can influence brain chemistry, which in turn influences mood, cognitive function, and behavior.
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are all complicated illnesses involving a range of factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle. One of the lifestyle elements that can influence the development and management of mental health issues is nutrition.
Let’s explore studies that analyze the role of specific diet components in the interventions addressed for common mental disorders.
Diet Impact on Anxiety and Depression:
Gary D. Foster, Ph.D., WW Chief Scientific Officer, says "Research shows an association between eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods and higher mood and well-being ratings, as well as a lower risk of depression."
According to a new study published in the journal Nutrients, people who consumed more fruits and vegetables reported higher levels of optimism and self-efficacy.
A systematic review published in the European Journal of Nutrition examined 16 studies and concluded that people who ate Western/unhealthy diets, such as more fast food, sweets, and sugary soft drinks, had an increased risk of developing depression, whereas those who followed a healthier eating pattern, such as a Mediterranean style diet, did not.
While it is common for people with depression to indulge in unhealthy eating habits, this also has a negative effect on their mental health. It worsens their symptoms making them feel lower than usual. Less healthy or unhealthy food disrupts the gut microbiome, leading to dysbiosis and gut inflammation — gut inflammation can then lead to brain inflammation, causing your mood to worsen.
A 2021 study published in Clinical Nutrition from Edith Cowan University in Australia, found that eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with less stress. Researchers have found that caffeine, alcohol, sugar and not eating at all add to anxiety and stress.
Diet Impact on ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder):
Diet can have a substantial impact on some ADHD patients. Certain foods may have a good influence on ADHD symptoms, whereas others may have an adverse effect.
The impact of food habits on ADHD symptoms in youngsters has piqued researchers' curiosity. Researchers discovered that dietary adjustments may help with symptom control. Some specialists feel that incorporating nutrition as a practice with other treatment techniques, such as medicines, maybe a beneficial complement to an individual's treatment strategy.
ADHD diet is a particular dietary regimen that can aid with ADHD symptom management.5 Limiting the use of particular meals, eliminating items that may aggravate symptoms, and applying dietary supplements or foods that can benefit persons with ADHD are all examples of possible solutions. The goal is to enhance the use of foods that benefit people with ADHD, such as omega-3 fatty acid supplements, while limiting or eliminating the consumption of foods that cause symptoms, such as lactose or gluten.4 These dietary adjustments may help to alleviate ADHD symptoms.
There is increasing research on the relationship between dietary habits and mental health concerns. It has been found by many researchers that a healthy diet helps ease symptoms of common mental health concerns.
While a balanced diet contributes to mental well-being, it's only part of the solution. For holistic health, consider therapy today!
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