Five foods that could boost your mental health

Mental health is a very loud topic of discussion in the world over. Attempts to maintain mental health are practiced every day.

While some common practices may be natural others may require medical backing.

That aside, did you know what you eat plays a vital role in your brain function and fighting cognitive diseases?

A well balanced diet can keep you alert, improve concentration and attention span. Most importantly, a healthy diet will help improve your mental health.

A poor diet can lead to depression, fatigue, impaired decision making, stress and can also slow down your reaction time.

That being said, here are five foods that are likely to boost your mental health:

Fish

For a long time, fish has been associated with brain function in boosting learning and memory.

This is because of its rich content of Omega-3s fatty acids. Fish is also linked to boosting mental health as the Omega 3s are known to reduce mental disorders such as depression.

Of all the fishes, Salmon is the fatty fish which is rich in Omega-3s, bringing at the top of the list for best fishes to have in your diet.  

Chicken

Did you know taking chicken is likely to help your brain control your moods?

Chicken contains amino acid tryptophan, a substance that helps your body produce serotonin. Serotonin helps your brain fight depression, maintain strong memory and control your mood.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens supply your brain with folic acid which prevents depression.

Leafy greens also fight insomnia which is linked to mental impairment. For older people, leafy greens are likely to reduce chances of dementia.

Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chards and Collards are rich nutrients that are good for the brain. These nutrients include; iron, folate, calcium and vitamins E and K.

Low intake of leafy greens leads to low magnesium which has been linked to high risk of depression and anxiety.

Whole grains

Eating whole grains may help balance Serotonin levels in your body. Serotonin is a feel-good-mood-stabilizing hormone in the body.

Whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potato and wheat pasta are good choices because they help in the release of serotonin.

They also help the brain absorb tryptophan, when eaten with chicken or turkey, can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while boosting brain function.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate fits this list because of its high cocoa content. The darker the chocolate, the better.

An antioxidant Flavonoid present in dark chocolate has been found to boost attention and memory, enhance mood and fight cognitive decline in older people.

It provides nourishment to the brain and helps reduce anxiety and improve symptoms of clinical depression.