May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Lettuce be happy and healthy! While there’s not a single magic food for brain health, there are many foods that have been shown to show be specifically beneficial in this area.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the pandemic, social unrest, natural disasters and ongoing violence, the past few years have been difficult for many people. Know that you are not alone and support is available to you. Norton Healthcare provides all employees and their household family members with confidential, professional counseling, education and referral services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP can help resolve personal or family issues before they negatively affect health, relationships or job performance. For more information or to arrange for service, call Wayne Corporation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (502) 451-8262 or (800) 441-1327, or visit WayneCorp.com.
Brain function and mental health might not be the first thing you think about when you think about the food and drinks you put into your body, but Kristine Carlson RD, University of Washington Medicine dietitian, draws a comparison between the brain and another complex, high-performance machine.
“Most people probably don’t equate a healthy diet with a good mood or better memory,” Carlson says. “But, like an expensive car, our brains require premium fuel to function at its best. This function includes managing our emotions and mood disorders.”
While there’s not a single magic food for brain health, there are many foods that have been shown to show be specifically beneficial in this area. One of which is dark leafy greens! Eating a variety of dark leafy veggies are a great way to get in the important vitamins and minerals that may help increase mood and lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Collards
Though mild in flavor, collards carry a powerful nutrient punch providing more dietary fiber than other leafy greens! A major player in heart disease prevention. It is also a great source of iron. Iron deficiency can cause a range of symptoms similar to those of depression, including mental and physical fatigue, low mood and irritability.
Arugula
Arugula belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage and is a good source of Vitamin K and magnesium. Magnesium is often known as the relaxation mineral, as it has a powerful impact on mood and the nervous system. A shortage of both Vitamin K and Magnesium can lead to depression, anxiety, migraine, high blood pressure and several chronic health conditions.
Kale
When it comes to antioxidants, kale creams its competition! It contains lutein, a potent antioxidant shown to protect eyesight. Kale also boasts omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a compound that helps lower the risk of depression.
Spinach
Among the greens, spinach harbors the most folate and potassium. Folate helps the body create new cells and supports serotonin regulation. Serotonin passes messages between nerve cells and helps the brain manage a variety of functions, from determining mood to regulating social behavior. Folate deficiency can cause fatigue in addition to lowering levels of serotonin.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is high in antioxidants that fight free radicals within the body and decelerates the aging process. In fact, Swiss chard 41 different types of antioxidants! The consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and folate-rich beans and greens may lower the risk for depression
Source: The Whole U