Most people blame stress for ruining your mental health. No doubt, stress is the major culprit but an unhealthy diet is also a silent killer for your mental wellbeing. It is indeed a sad reality that the modern comfort diet has done much damage to the mental health of a huge population. The increasing cases of stress, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders are proof of this. Your brain deserves the best of all as it works 24/7. It needs ample amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. For enjoying stable mental health you need to exempt these things from your diet.
1. Refined Foods
Mostly, people are aware of the hazards of eating refined foods for their physical health. But do you know these processed foods debilitate your mental health too? Convenience foods including fast food and junk food are high in calories, sugar, and refined carbs and are deficient in nutrients. If your diet includes refined products; you might suffer from depression as compared to the people who prefer fresh produce. Refined foods have a high glycemic index that results in a spike in energy levels that drops with the same intensity. On the other hand, fresh and unrefined products help to maintain a steady energy level.
2. Trans Fat
Everyone loves the succulent fried chicken, fish, and chips. Deep-fried food is rich in flavor but poor in healthy nutrients. These cause body inflammation and increase oxidative stress that negatively impacts your brain function or mental health. The high levels of unhealthy fats and sodium in such foods have a close connection with inducing decreased energy levels, mood changes, heaviness, and irritability.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol and mental health problems are connected in a way that people take alcohol hoping that it would help them cope with depression. Temporary relief in stress leads to high alcohol dependence. But what happens is that alcohol aggravates your mental health in the long run. Furthermore, alcohol impacts your mental health due to consequences like sleep disturbances and dehydration. Both these conditions lead to increased feelings of irritability and sluggishness.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine is present in tea, coffee, sodas, energy drinks, and chocolates. The component - when consumed in moderation offers a stimulant effect due to the presence of antioxidants. However, an excessive intake of caffeinated beverages especially after midday could pose a threat to mental health in people with depression or anxiety. Secondly, it may lead to a disruption in your sleeping pattern. If you are so much into caffeine and cannot quit it; you can optimize its consumption by avoiding products that cause a surge of caffeine in your blood and not consuming it after midday.
Things You Should Avoid
Apart from these food categories, certain food items seem innocent but are loaded with ingredients that may harm your mental health.
Donuts and pastries
Soya sauce
Ketchup
Frosting
Salad dressings
White bread
Sodas and sugary juices
Candies, jellies, marshmallows
Low-sugar products
Conclusion
Food and mood go hand in hand. Your gut health is highly influential for your mental health. A nutrient-rich diet ensures stable mental and physical health while a junk sugary processed diet causes much devastation. When your brain does not get proper nourishment; it may come under the attack of free radicals and inflammatory agents that may endanger your mental health.
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