{"id":24383,"date":"2021-05-28T18:28:52","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T18:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=24383"},"modified":"2021-05-28T18:28:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T18:28:52","slug":"nutrition-and-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/nutrition-and-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"The Powerful Ways in Which Nutrition Affects Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN<\/a>, unpacks the link between nutrition and mental health. Plus: the best nutrients and foods that positively affect your mind, mood, and well-being.<\/em>\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to what we eat, many people think first about how food affects their physical health and appearance. However, eating well\u2014which means having a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients<\/a>\u2014can also help improve your mood and overall sense of well-being.\r\n\r\nMany of us tend to separate the mind from the rest<\/a> of the body, but good health matters from head to toe, inside and out. Our brains are affected by what we put into<\/em> our bodies, too.\r\n\r\nIn this article, we’ll first look at the main chemicals at play before exploring the link between nutrition and mental health.\r\n

Brain Chemistry and Mental Health<\/h2>\r\nBefore we get more in depth on diet and mental health, let’s first take a look at some of the primary chemicals that influence your mind and mood the most.\r\n

1. Dopamine<\/h3>\r\nAmong other things, dopamine impacts our emotions, thinking, judgment, and problem-solving. Popularly associated with pleasure, dopamine communicates with the front part of the brain<\/a> to\u00a0motivate you to work towards achieving a reward.\r\n\r\nFor instance, dopamine is behind that rush you get when you’re ready to eat your favorite dessert<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIt’s worth noting that too little dopamine can lead to stress. However, too much of it can lead to dependence on this stimulating neurotransmitter.\r\n\r\nIn terms of diet, this reliance can become a greater issue if you favor foods high in sugar, salt, and other things that should be consumed in moderation.\r\n\r\n\"Happy\r\n

2. Oxytocin<\/h3>\r\nOxytocin is often referred to as the “love” hormone, as its levels increase with physical intimacy<\/a>. It’s associated with empathy, trust, and building relationships as well as childbirth and breastfeeding<\/a>.\r\n\r\nResearch shows that females typically have higher levels<\/a> of oxytocin than males, which makes sense since it plays a role in female reproductive functions.\r\n

3. Serotonin<\/h3>\r\nSerotonin is a key hormone for mood stabilization<\/a>.\r\n\r\nWhile serotonin affects\u00a0your whole body, it particularly:\r\n