8 Foods That Not Only Heal Your Body but Also Boost Your Mental Health, Study Says

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Healthy foods are not only healthy for your body, but also for your mind. Your mind and body are more connected than you might think. They practically interact with each other through the nervous system. When you feel stressed, your brain will tell your gut, and this can impact your mood and energy level. That’s why, if you often feel moody or nervous, it’s time to take a look at your daily food intake. You might be surprised at the impact healthy foods can have on your overall mental health.

Here’s a list of healthy foods that may impact your body and mental health in a positive way.

1. Soy

8 Foods That Not Only Heal Your Body but Also Boost Your Mental Health

Soy contains amino acids that are crucial for your body’s muscles and bones, and they help deal with sleep disorders and insomnia. It also reduces the risks of more serious issues, like Alzheimer’s.

For women, soy can be very helpful. Many women during menopause deal with mood swings, lack of concentration, and tiredness, and there is no better remedy than healing yourself naturally. Menopause progressively stops the production of estrogen, and soy can be one of the solutions to gain it back. It contains something called isoflavones, which are plant-based chemicals that are like a replacement for estrogen that women in this stage need. These can be found in tofu, soy milk, miso soup, soy yogurt, and soy flour. On the other hand, it can be responsible for the early onset of puberty and menopause due to affecting the brain, so don’t go over the top with soy if you’re not experiencing menopause.

2. Salmon

8 Foods That Not Only Heal Your Body but Also Boost Your Mental Health

Salmon is an omega-rich food — more specifically, it contains omega-3. It is directly linked to the brain and helps improve the function of cells, resulting in a lower risk of sadness, depression, memory issues, and for older people, dementia.

Your body cannot generate omega-3 by itself, so eating foods like salmon is a necessity for better functioning. This type of fatty fish balances the hormones and makes you feel less chunky, controls your appetite, and boosts serotonin, the happy hormone. Think of it as a happy meal — we don’t feel bloated and we’re not still hungry afterward. Isn’t that great?

3. Raw garlic

8 Foods That Not Only Heal Your Body but Also Boost Your Mental Health

There are many benefits raw garlic offers the brain, including improved memory that is essential for the elderly. You can either eat raw garlic by itself or mix it into salads, depending on what you prefer (it’s particularly strong, so you may want to mix it with something else).

Allicin is a compound that carries sulfur, and this compound is only present in raw garlic. It helps with aging, diseases, and increases serotonin levels.

4. Bittersweet chocolate

8 Foods That Not Only Heal Your Body but Also Boost Your Mental Health

Bittersweet chocolate is a bit different than regular, sweet chocolate. The difference is that it contains a high range of cocoa (50%-90%), the main ingredient here. Keep in mind that the darker the chocolate, the better! When you consume this kind of chocolate, it tells your brain to release endorphins, which are feel-better chemicals that help manage stress and thus increase feelings of happiness.

Cocoa also progresses blood flow to your brain, which means that for the elderly, it betters their mental function by easing their production of words and helps them feel more balanced.

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