Medical Moment: How diet affects mental health

(WNDU) – The old saying is that an apple a day keeps the doctor away… But what about your mental health?

New research shows how some foods may be the ultimate mood booster.

Eating foods that make us feel better emotionally can help us move faster and think more clearly.

It also helps with concentration and mindset. Eating a poor diet can lead to tiredness, exhaustion, and weakness.

According to the American Dietetic Association, it’s common for people to overeat or undereat when stressed. Eating too often results in feelings of tiredness and overstimulation.

When eating little, irritability and exhaustion are common symptoms, and the behavior can become difficult to break.

Poor nutrition in moments of mental anguish can become a brutal cycle that is difficult to overcome. Paying the closest attention to how you feel while eating is the key ingredient in making sure you are enjoying a well-balanced diet.

Being mindful of maintaining a regular routine at the grocery store, preparing meals, honoring hunger cues, and paying attention to where you eat can help improve your relationship with the food you eat.

“There are certain foods that have been shown to be good for brain health and potentially affect mood,” said Tara Collingwood, a registered dietitian.

According to new research from a university in England, people who eat fruit more often report higher positive mental well-being and are less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who don’t.

Another study in Australia found that eating four to six different vegetables a day was associated with a 24 to 42 percent lower risk of depression.

“The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish could help protect our brain,” Collingwood explained.

A study published in “Molecular Psychiatry” found that patients treated with omega-3s had up to 71% less depression

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