Can food and diet help treat depression?
A new study has found that diet and exercise can be used to treat depression.
The food we eat affects our health. Bad eating habits and an unhealthy diet can wreck one's well-being and also affect mental health.
Exercise has also been proven to benefit the physical body and mental health.
A new study by The Lancet Regional Health published this week shows that lifestyle therapy is effective for treating low-grade depression.
The study shows that improving your diet and exercising can be as effective as therapy with a psychologist for treating low-grade depression.
READ: Slap chips could contribute to anxiety and depression
Harvard Health Publishing reported in 2022 that 'multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.'
The 2023 Mental State of the World Report, which surveyed over 500,000 respondents across seventy-one nations in nine regions, found that smartphone use and the consumption of ultra-processed foods were major contributors to mental health challenges.
So, it is important to avoid foods that are rich in refined sugars or are ultra-processed because they are 'harmful to the brain'.
Rather eat the following which are known for boosting mental health:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Pumpkin seeds
- Whole grains
- Salmon
Remember to not make the food unhealthy by how you cook or prepare it.
Read more about it - South Africa leads in mental health cases.
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