The things you eat and drink could be impacting your mental health as well as your physical health, according to an expert.
According to, Aimee Newton, a Registered Dietitian working at Spire Hull and East Riding Hospital, says there may be some diet habits that impact the way you feel mentally.
Studies have shown that some foods can increase serotonin levels - dubbed the 'happy hormone' - which in turn lifts moods.
On the contrary, a lack of this hormone can have a negative impact on your mental health.
When it comes to food and drink, the expert explains that there is a link between hydration and energy and the body's ability to produce the so-called 'happy hormone'.
1. Not drinking enough
We need sufficient energy to maintain the structure of our brain and nervous system. Dehydration can affect your brain's ability to produce energy and can obstruct the brain's production of happy hormone, serotonin. This is because the body needs water to transport amino acid, tryptophan, across the blood-brain barrier to convert it to serotonin.
2. Not eating enough variety
There are many studies suggesting a link between reduced diversity of the bacteria in our gut and mood disorders. This is because the gut microbiome helps turn the food we eat into different molecules which enter our bloodstream and communicate with the brain. Some of these are neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which can then influence mood and behaviour.
It is, however, too early to make conclusions as to which exact bacterial strains play a role or suggest specific concentrations of these bacteria which are optimal in our gut as there is a lack of human studies in this area. However, watch this space in the future. What we do know is eating foods like wholegrains and fermented foods that increase the diversity of the bacteria in our gut can be beneficial to overall health and mood.
3. Not getting the right vitamins
Some vitamin deficiencies have been linked to low mood. These include vitamins B6, B12, folate and vitamin D. Furthermore, western diets have which are high in processed foods, refined grains, sugar, and fat have been more closely associated with depression in some studies.
That said, its important to stress that mood-boosting foods alone cannot treat depression.
If youre really struggling with your mental health, you should always see a doctor.
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Read more:
Expert shares three diet mistakes you could be making that impact your mental health - Daily Record
