Eat these 5 foods for better mental health and prevent brain ageing

Make sure you eat these five foods to improve brain health and keep mental health issues such as stress at bay.
foods to improve brain health
Keep your brain young with these foods. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Vidhi Chawla Published: 31 Oct 2022, 08:59 am IST
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When it comes to dieting, you might be trying to find the best diet for weight loss or a diet that will keep your body healthy and fit, but have you thought about your mental health? Well, your food choices can actually affect your mental health and brain. Therefore, eating a brain boosting diet is imperative.

Check out these 5 foods to improve brain health:

1. Avocados

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. They are also rich in vitamins like vitamin K and folate, which boost your memory, improve brain function and, most importantly, reduce the risk of brain stroke.

foods to improve brain health
Avocados maybe high on fat, but it’s monounsaturated fat! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Yoghurt

Feeling too anxious? Try having one cup of yoghurt and see the difference. Although yoghurt is rich in probiotics and is an excellent food for your gut and digestive health, it’s excellent for your brain as well. Well, yoghurt increases the level of the happy hormone serotonin, thereby helping you reduce stress and anxiety. Since it contains magnesium and potassium, it helps boost oxygen in your brain too.

3. Nuts

If you’re feeling depressed, try popping a few nuts! Since nuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, they help fight depression. In fact, it also helps boost your memory. A few nuts, like almonds, contain phenylalanine, which helps boost dopamine, making you feel relaxed. So, add them to your diet.

4. Green leafy vegetables

Leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard, arigula, and dandelion greens are high in folate, one of the vitamins most essential for keeping a healthy brain. This helps to retain cognitive integrity as we age.

foods to improve brain health
Green leafy veggies can be great for your brain health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Dark chocolate

Chocolate can actually help your mental health! But remember to consume dark chocolate instead of regular milk chocolate. The more cocoa content, the better! Apart from this, dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids that help boost memory and attention. It contains N-acylethanolamines which boost serotonin and help with a good mood.

Takeaway

Since our childhood, we have always been told to eat healthy for good physical health, but it’s important to note that good nutrition is actually important for mental health too. Incorporating these foods into your diet can reduce your stress and make you feel alive and energetic. Be it your exam or any stressful situation, these foods will help you improve concentration and boost your happy hormones.

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About the Author

Vidhi Chawla is a dietitian and the owner of Fisico Diet Clinic. ...Read More

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