HEALTH & NUTRITION
We Are What We Eat
Growing evidence links diet to more than physical health. It shapes mood and overall well being too. Cutting back on ultra-processed foods, eating more fruits and vegetables, and certain supplements have been tied to improvements in depression and other mental health conditions in adults, plus a healthier start in life for children. Researchers are increasingly connecting these effects to the brain regions involved in eating behavior and to the gut microbiome’s influence on immune, metabolic, and neural pathways.Research increasingly links gut health to reduced inflammation and improved functioning across many body systems, including the nervous system. Eating a variety of plants supports a healthy gut microbiome because each plant contains different polyphenols, chemicals that nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Gut health expert Tim Spector, PhD, of King’s College London, suggests eating a high-fiber diet with around 30 different plants per week, including fruits and vegetables as well as grains, nuts, and spices.
Learn how researchers are furthering our understanding of nutrition to optimize mental health by Zara Abrams, American Psychological Association.
