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NeoLife | Lifestyle | SCIENCE & PRODUCTS
NEWS YOU CAN USE
The Connection Between
Food & Mood
Food fuels our physical bodies by providing the nutrients and energy necessary to properly function, but it can also affect us
mentally and emotionally. Comfort food, which varies from person to person but is a near-universal concept, can evoke pleasant feelingsandmemories,especiallywhenwe’re feeling down. Beyond the psychological effects of food, nutrients in the diet can play roles in impacting our mood through a variety of mechanisms. In an added complexity, our brains and feelings can be influenced by trillions of microbes living in our digestive tracts — collectively known as the gut microbiome. Though our moods and feelings are highly dependent on the external things we are experiencing, these intricate systems can be affected from within. Let’s explore the connection between what we eat and how we feel.
Nutrition’s Impact on Mood
Our favourite treats can inspire an instant happiness boost through psychological means. Our overall diet plays a role in influencing mood and mental state via physiological methods. Studies investigating the relationship between diet and mental state have found promising connections. The Mediterranean diet has long been hailed one of the best diets, and for good reason. The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a broad range of health benefits, like lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, supporting a healthy body weight, and healthy cognitive ageing.1 It emphasises a variety
of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish, moderate amounts of lean protein and dairy, and minimal refined sugar and saturated fats.
The Mediterranean diet has been generally linked to a higher quality of life. One study found that closer adherence to the Mediterranean diet
was associated with higher levels of subjective
2
happiness. High intakes of fruits and
vegetables, important for any healthy diet, have been found to be positively correlated to better outcomes of mental health and enhanced well-being and happiness.3
What makes the Mediterranean diet so good for our health? A significant reason is one influential group of nutrients called phytonutrients. There are thousands of phytonutrients divided into categories like carotenoids, flavonoids, and phytosterols that have a variety of positive health impacts and antioxidant activity. Certain carotenoids, like lutein, zeaxanthin and crocin (found in saffron) have shown beneficial effects in the management of stress, improving mood, and/or decreasing cortisol levels.4 Flavonoids have been found to have neuroprotective properties and other phytonutrients have benefits ranging from immune support to cardiovascular protection to cognitive support. Phytonutrients are beneficial compounds produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables their bright colours and distinctive tastes. Make sure to incorporate a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit into your diet to reap the benefits of the entire phytonutrient
spectrum.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits like the Mediterranean diet has a wide range of health benefits including being associated with higher levels of happiness and mental health.2,3
Our gut and brain communicate with each other in a connection called the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiome can impact this bidirectional communication in a positive or negative
way, depending on the type of products the microbiome composition produces.7, 8
A well-balanced diet plays a key role in cultivating and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome which is linked with higher levels of beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids.1,9 The microbiomes of those with less healthy diets are less diverse and lower in beneficial bacteria.1
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