6 Superfoods To Improve Your Mental And Overall Health

. . Whenever you feel sick, you remind that you have forgotten to eat fruits and vegetables. But why you should think about fruits and vegetables only when you don’t feel well? In order to have a healthy life, you should eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit per day, and two to three cups […]

.

.

Whenever you feel sick, you remind that you have forgotten to eat fruits and vegetables. But why you should think about fruits and vegetables only when you don’t feel well?
In order to have a healthy life, you should eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit per day, and two to three cups of vegetables. So, consuming the right amount of fruits and vegetables isn’t too hard.
Considering that fruits and vegetables have enormous benefits in your body, they can also improve your mental health.

The Importance Of Fruits And Vegetables In Mental Health
.

Yet, a whopping 88% of Americans fail to get enough fruit, and over 90% don’t eat enough vegetables according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 90% are missing out.

The physical health benefits of fruits and vegetables are well-documented. Individuals who eat an adequate supply of fruits and vegetables have better heart health, greater longevity, and a reduced risk of cancer than those who do not eat enough ‘F&V.’

The physical benefits of eating plenty of F&V should be enough to persuade all of us to eat more. However, the psychological benefits of fruits and vegetables are also numerous.

“These results provide initial proof-of-concept that giving young adults fresh fruit and vegetables to eat can have psychological benefits even over a brief period of time.” ~ Dr. Tamlin Connor

Dr. Tamlin Connor, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and her colleagues discovered that young adults who ate the recommended amount of F&V for two weeks displayed more flourishing, motivation, and vitality than those who did not eat the recommended amount.

Which Are Superfoods You Should Consume More?

It’s likely that the vitamins and minerals contained within fruits and vegetables account for the improved mental well-being of participants in the above study.

Neuroscientists state that certain vitamins and minerals are required for the brain to produce chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) vital for mental acuity and clarity, learning, memorization, and mood stability.

The word ‘superfood’ is used to describe food with high nutrient content and associated health benefits. Here are some fruits and veggies that are superfoods:

1. Avocados: 100 grams of fresh avocado contains 12 grams of healthy unsaturated fat. Contrary to asinine low-fat diet advice, monounsaturated fats are critical to health; they lower bad cholesterol levels, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

2. Blueberries: Blueberries contain a bunch of antioxidants, which are essential for fighting off harmful free radicals. These little blue delights can improve skin health, aid weight loss, boost brainpower, fight cancer, combat aging, and support digestion.

3. Broccoli: Broccoli is one of the most nutritionally balanced foods. It has a good amount of dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and potassium. It’s also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.

4. Lemons: Lemons boost our immune system due to their high concentration of vitamin C (just one lemon meets your recommended daily amount.) Lemon also raises good cholesterol levels and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

5. Spinach: Spinach is packed with vitamins A, and C. It’s also a good source of folate and magnesium – two critical building blocks of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin.

6. Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. They’re also an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium and fiber.

.