Did you know that your brain is the organ that receives nourishment strictly through the foods we eat every single day?
Of all the organs in our body, the brain is the one that is easily damaged by a poor diet. The food that we eat is broken down into nutrients which are taken by the bloodstream and carried to the brain. These nutrients activate cellular reactions and become the brain fuel. For example: when we eat fatty, sugary foods and experience symptoms like sluggishness, these symptoms come from the brain.
Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress. 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.
How food affects your mood:
95% of your serotonin is produced in your gut. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. The bacteria in your gut plays an essential role in your health. They protect the lining of your intestines and ensure they provide a strong barrier against toxins and “bad” bacteria; they limit inflammation; they improve how well you absorb nutrients from your food; and they activate neural pathways that travel directly between the gut and the brain.
It is very important that you take care of your “good” bacteria by eating fermented food such as sauerkraut, kimchi, organic yogurt or by taking a probiotic. Your gut health will determine your overall health especially your brain health.
Reference:
Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food. Harvard Health Publishing
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