Foods that would improve mental health

New research confirms the benefits of a healthy diet on the brain, specifically the effects of fermented foods rich in antioxidants and good fats. Eating well also helps lower stress levels, fight anxiety, and prevent depression and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The latest interesting confirmation comes from a study coordinated by the University College Cork (Ireland) in which the South Tyrol Foundation participated. Edmund Mach.

Foods that improve mental health

Yogurt

Combined with each other, and eaten on a regular basis, according to scientists these foods act as true supplements by promoting the proper functioning of the nervous system

Sauerkraut

They stimulate the production of psychobiotics, microorganisms that nourish the gut flora, promoting the production of hormones such as serotonin (“happiness hormone” on which good mood depends) while simultaneously limiting the production of cortisol.

Kefir

They administered them to a group of patients several times during the day over a period of four weeks, then moved on to the verification phase by comparing the data of these patients with that of others who had been on a conventional diet in the meantime.

Kombucha

They analyzed plasma and urine with an innovative system that allowed them to detect the values and types of bacteria in the gut microbiota, and then put participants through a questionnaire to find out how they felt. This gave them confirmation of the benefits of a diet rich in fermented foods and a source of fiber: those who ate them regularly reported feeling lower levels of stress and feeling better overall.

What to eat then?

One of its special features of this study is that it looked at a range of foods, and not just one, proving that there is no such thing as a miracle ingredient, but it is always the combination that makes the difference. In fact, the scientists studied the effects of a diet rich in many other fermented foods and generally rich in fiber, Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants: for example, fruits, legumes, whole grains and vegetables of various kinds.