Best Foods For Depression: How Does Fruits And Vegetables Lower Risk Of Depression?
Do you know that Increasing your intake of raw fruits and vegetables can Lower your risk of depression?While eating fruits and vegetables, in any form, is beneficial to our health – eating them in their raw form seems to have a particularly positive effect on mental well-being, according to new research.
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Public health campaigns tend to mainly focus well-being recommended quantity of fruit and vegetables to be consumed – with a standard recommendation of ‘five servings per day.’ But, there’s so much more to consider – especially if you want to avoid depression or any other serious health condition.
Best Foods For Depression
In short, the more pure and unmodified the fruit or vegetable, the better the health benefits to mood and state of mind. Cooking, processing and heating fruits and vegetables can change the cellular structure of food – and reduce the levels of many (essential) nutrients.
In the study, over 400 young adult’s ages 18 to 25 from the U.S. and New Zealand were studied. Young adults were chosen because they typically consume the least amounts of fruits and vegetables and tend to be at a higher risk for mental health issues, according to the researchers.
The participants were studied in terms of cooked versus raw fruits and vegetables consumed and their mental health status. Variables related to lifestyle and demographics were also factored in, such as sleep and exercise patterns, socioeconomic status and current physical health.
Raw dark leafy greens, citrus fruits and dark-colored berries top list of mood-enhancing foods
The researchers found a direct and undeniable link between raw fruit and vegetable consumption and a lowered risk of depression and other mental health issues.
ALSO: Isn’t It Expensive to Eat Healthfully?Those who eat more raw fruits and vegetables also tend to have a more positive mood and outlook on life. They experience increased levels of life satisfaction and are more likely to thrive and flourish in life. Those who ate cooked fruits and vegetables did not experience the same mental health benefits.
Researchers found that the top foods to improve mood and mental health including dark leafy greens – like kale and collard green, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, kiwifruit, apples, grapefruit and other citrus fruits, bananas and fresh berries.
READ ALSO: 10 Best Foods For Deep Sleep - Foods For Insomnia
Eating raw fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of chronic inflammation
Unhealthy eating patterns have already been linked with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and increased incidence of stroke. However, as we can see, our eating habits can also profoundly affect our mood and mental health, as this study shows.
Sugar, chemicals, and preservatives in processed foods tend to increase the risk of chronic inflammation – which is a precursor to many health conditions (mentioned above), including depression.
Keep eating those fruits and vegetables and strive to “go raw” as much as you can.
Make it a point to eat at least one fruit and vegetable daily.
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DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
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