Your diet is the basis for your health, both mentally and physically. New research has shown that you are what you eat in a very real way. It turns out that eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet will keep your mind sharp and mentally fortified as well as keep your body healthy.
Mediterranean and Japanese Diets
The best diet to follow for your mental health turns out to be the best diet to follow for your physical health as well, the Mediterranean diet. This famous diet plan is defined by its focus on fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts, grains, cereals, unsaturated fats, olive oil, and fish. The Mediterranean diet is pretty similar to the Japanese diet as well, which is another diet famous for its health benefits. The biggest difference between the Mediterranean diet and the Japanese diet is primarily in the types of fruits and vegetables that they consume.
Getting the proper nutrients at a young age is a way to improve the mental health of children and adolescents as well as adults. The Mediterranean and Japanese diets do this primarily through their consumption of fish and fish oil. Fish is rich with omega-3 fatty acids which can treat inflammation which can lead to depression.
These diets also help your body produce mood altering hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which also helps to reduce depression. Finally, the diet is a great way to counter obesity, which can also result in your mood being altered.
As powerful as these diets are, they are no substitute for seeing an actual mental health professional. If you are suffering from mental health issues, make sure to see a doctor while sticking to the diets.
