This posts look at how food and our minds are linked and ways you can incorporate these foods into your diet.
How is food and your mood linked?
Gut bacteria produce hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate basic physiological processes as well as mental processes such as learning, memory and mood (Carpenter, 2012).
When we consider the connection between the brain and the gut, it’s important to know that 90% of serotonin receptors are located in the gut. (Harvard Health, 2019).
Serotonin is the key hormone that stabilises our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. Serotonin also helps with sleeping, eating, and digestion (Hormone.org).
How can I promote gut health?
Eat whole foods and avoid packaged or processed foods, which are high in unwanted food additives and preservatives that disrupt the healthy bacteria in the gut.
Eat enough fibre and include whole grains and legumes in your diet.
Adding fermented foods to maintain a healthy gut.
Add a range of colourful fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
(Harvard Health, 2019)
Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes etc.
As long as your eating relatively healthy you should be getting enough fibre in your diet when plant based.
Tempeh is not only fermented and good for the gut but is also high in protein!
Comments