Post: The Best 8 Foods for Your Mental Health

Shutterstock We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” but it might be more accurate to say, “you feel what you eat.” The more we learn about diet and mental health , the more it seems these two critical elements of well-being are interconnected. A growing body of research shows that what we put on our plates and in our mouths can have real effects on how we think and feel.

Though context matters (if you gather for a friend’s birthday and all enjoy some chocolate cake together, the bonding event can boost mental health), it often boils down to the fact that certain foods promote inflammation, while others tame it. Inflammation has been linked to all sorts of mental health concerns, including the two most common afflictions among Americans: anxiety and depression . Fortunately, numerous nutrients, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, L-theanine, and resistant starch all show promise for dialing down inflammation and/or elevating serotonin (the “feel-good hormone”) in the brain.

Try these eight foods to fight inflammation and boost mental health.

Related: Sign up to receive delicious recipes, expert advice, and shopping tips in your inbox! 1. Nuts and seeds

“Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and ground flax seeds are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health and fight inflammation,” says Nichole Deandra, MS, RDN , author of The Fiber Effect .

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In fact, no matter which variety you prefer, you really can’t go wrong with seeds.

“All seeds, like chia, flax, and hemp, as well as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, include an abundance of nutrients that support mental health and mood, such as magnesium, B vitamins, and iron,” Deandra says.

Pair some crunchy seeds with walnuts to amplify these effects. A 2022 study in Nutrients found that consuming about a half cup of walnuts daily was associated with improved mental health and reduced stress in college students. 2. Green tea “If you’d like to improve your mental health, sip on green tea,” says registered dietitian Lisa Andrews . “A systematic review found that green tea drinkers had lower rates of depression.”AdvertisementThe probable reason for […]

The Best 8 Foods for Your Mental Health