7 Super Foods to Boost Mental Health and Wellbeing

While most people know that a balanced diet and exercise is required to stay in shape, not everyone considers foods that will keep both the body and mind balanced, happy, and healthy. Here we explore 7 super foods that boost mental health and wellbeing.

1. Beans

Jam packed full of fibre and antioxidants, beans and legumes help you feel fuller for longer and also stabilises your blood sugar which allows you to more energy more effectively.

Beans also contain a good amount of thiamine which is a vitamin needed for the production of the neurotransmitter essential to memory, acetylcholine.

2. Leafy Greens

Not only are leafy greens imperative to a balanced diet, they’re also great for mental health.

A recent study published in Neurology detailed how those who regularly consumed daily servings of leafy green vegetables such as kale, collard greens, and spinach displayed a much slower rate of cognitive decline in comparison to those who actively avoided greens.

3. Walnuts

While we can’t prove whether the brain-shape of the walnut is a coincidence or not, the truth is that walnuts are great for both mental and physical wellbeing. Packed full of antioxidants, walnuts help fight oxidation in the body and mind and even aid in the growth of new neurons in the brain.

Growing new brain cells is essential to maintaining good mental health, so grab a handful of walnuts next time you’re feeling peckish and you’ll likely see an improvement in your online pokies NZ game!

4. Wholegrains

While most people probably wish that pizza and pasta were essential to mental and physical wellbeing, you don’t actually have to cut carbohydrates out of your diet in order to be healthy.

According to recent studies, wholegrains are an excellent source of tryptophan which is an amino acid essential to the production of serotonin – ‘the feel good hormone’.

5. Berries

If you’re looking for a way to boost the levels of antioxidants in your body, we suggest reaching for some strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries right away.

Antioxidants assist in repairing cells and combats inflammation caused by free radical damage, thereby assisting in improving the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Blueberries and strawberries also contain a compound called polyphenolics which has been proven to improve memory and concentration.

6. Oily Fish

Oily fish such as salmon, trout, and prawns are superfoods for the brain owing to an Omega-3 fatty acid called DHA.

Not only does DHA assist in improving both short- and long-term memory which contributes to optimal brain health, but it can also help boost feelings of wellbeing and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

7. Yoghurt

Many people include yoghurt in their daily diet thanks to the added benefit of probiotics which help your digestive system run better, but recent studies have suggested a further benefit to probiotics not previously realised.

Thanks to the gut-brain connection, the probiotic cultures found in yoghurt also have the ability to impact mental health by assisting in the lowering of stress, anxiety, and depression.